Mancini eyes Blue Camp

03 April 2010 13:08
Roberto Mancini believes he may have seen a vision of City's future when he watched Barcelona in midweek. For on and off the field, the Blues have a long-term plan to match the best in Europe. For Nou Camp, read Blue Camp. It was former boss Kevin Keegan who first dubbed the City of Manchester Stadium as the Blue Camp shortly after the club's move there in 2003. The name never really caught on - even though Keegan's City christened their new stadium with a pre-season win over Barca. But even if the stadium name has not transferred to Manchester, Mancini still sees the Catalan giants as the blueprint for a bright City future. Barca may have let a two-goal lead slip as they drew 2-2 with Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first on Wednesday night. But they remain many people's favourites to lift the trophy at the Bernabeu - home of their deadly rivals Real Madrid - on May 22. And Mancini saw enough to make him even hungrier for a slice of the Champions League cake - and a crack at big European nights against Barca. "Barcelona and Arsenal are both very good sides," he said. "But for our part, we must improve a lot if we want to play Champions League football and enjoy occasions where we play sides of Barca's quality regularly. "If we want to think about playing those kinds of matches, we first need to make sure we finish in fourth position and that is our focus." The aim is to build a side capable of competing with the best in Europe on a regular basis, in a stadium the envy of the continent. City's extensive rebuilding programme on the pitch has - with a little pain and a managerial change along the way - given them a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the old European Cup was rebranded. And off the pitch, ambitious plans are afoot to create a world-class sports and leisure complex around Eastlands. Those plans include scope to increase the stadium's capacity to 60,000 by extending the North Stand. But just as importantly, the proposals also include community leisure facilities, a sign of the club's commitment - along with that of Manchester City Council - to the local area. Example Both City and Barca have long acknowledged the importance of a strong link with their local community - and have gone about it different, equally- successful ways. For their part, Barca have become the world's most famous example of a supporter-owned club, with its 102,000 members democratically electing a president and a board of directors every four years. And since Sheikh Mansour bought City in the late summer of 2008, he has instructed those running the show at Eastlands to ensure that their new-found riches do not obscure the impressive work the club does in the local community. So while Mancini's men have been gearing up for a run-in that will decide their Champions League fate, the club's award-winning City In The Community project has been as busy as ever. Last Saturday, for instance, the club hosted a family activity day - attended by more than 500 people - as part of the Getting Manchester Moving campaign, which encourages the local public to get involved in physical activity and promotes healthy eating. That kind of community work has long been at the heart of what City do, and is an indication that they have a similar ethos to Barca. Both clubs want success, but they want it in the right way - on and off the pitch. In some ways, though, perhaps the off-field side is easier to get right. For even with fortunes to spend, there is no guarantee that such success on the pitch will come immediately. Mark Hughes, who had a brief an unhappy spell at Barcelona as a player in the mid-1980s, found that out to his cost at Eastlands, and paid the price with his job shortly before Christmas. And Sylvinho, who arrived at City in the summer after helping Barca win the Champions League last season, is all too aware of the pressures that come with pushing for a place at the top table. "Barcelona are one of the best teams in the world," he said. "They've got wonderful players. "They play a certain style of good football every single time. They don't change it. If they play against Chelsea or a lower-division Spanish side, they don't change. "That's the future for City. We are improving a lot. We have to improve a little bit more. That's the way." Before City can think too much about Barcelona, they must consider Burnley. A trip to Turf Moor this evening should, in theory, offer a comfortable three points. But then that's what most people thought when the Clarets came to Eastlands in November - and they then went away with a 3-3 draw. That is why Mancini talks of focus, and of ensuring fourth spot in the Premier League. The Blues are in a good position to claim it, as they begin the weekend in fifth, just two points behind Tottenham - who have to face Arsenal, Chelsea and United before this month is out. Not that City's run-in is much easier, as they too must tackle United and the Gunners this month, before hosting Spurs on May 5. Mancini acknowledges it could be tight in the battle for that final Champions League spot. And knows those that vital goals from Carlos Tevez (left) could swing it if it comes down to goal difference. He added: "We always try to win and score goals, but obviously goal difference could come into play on the final day. "If we can, we hope to arrive at the end of the season at least one point ahead of Tottenham - or whoever we need to finish ahead of. "But we are aware of what could happen and know each goal we score could make a difference to where we finish." Get it right, and the Blues could perhaps be looking forward to a Champions League night at the Nou Camp before too long. What do you think? Have your say. | Submit Comments| Comments (6)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia

Source: Man_City