Source: Team_Talk
Mancini looks forward to Juve clash
Roberto Mancini is relishing Manchester City's Europa League clash with Juventus and confident his side can "go a long way" in the tournament.[LNB] Mancini's team face Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday after a bright start to the season that has seen them keep clean sheets in four successive games.[LNB]Then in October the former Inter Milan manager comes up against his old Serie A rivals Juventus in the group stages of the Europa League.[LNB]City secured their passage with a comfortable 3-0 aggregate victory over the Romanians of Timisoara on Thursday. That achievement came on the back of a convincing win over Liverpool.[LNB]However Mancini feels they be will tested to the full, especially in Turin.[LNB]He said: "Juventus are traditionally one of the very top sides in Europe and are maybe the biggest name in this year's Europa League.[LNB]"It is a big test for us, and one which we are all looking forward to. I know Juve well from my time in Italy.[LNB]"They have some excellent players and also have a massive support, so both games against them will be great occasions."[LNB]City were also drawn against Austrian side Salzburg and Polish champions Lech Poznan.[LNB]Mancini hopes his expensively assembled team can go all the way in the competition.[LNB]He said: "The Europa League is important for us and I think we have a good squad which is able to go a long way.[LNB]"But we must respect all of our opponents, they will all be difficult games, and we must be at our very best to go through this group."[LNB]Mancini was pleased with the performance in midweek, not least of all an encouraging display by David Silva, who arrived from Valencia in the summer.[LNB]He said: "I think that Silva needs time because it is not easy to play in the Premier League.[LNB]"Probably La Liga is different, maybe like Serie A but Silva is a fantastic player."
