Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini convinced Manchester City can reach Champions League for first time
Eying Europe: Roberto Mancini hoping for victory at Anfield[LNB]Roberto Mancini is convinced Manchester City can clinch a place inthe Champions League for the first time next season and aims toemphasise that fact on Monday at Anfield. [LNB]The Italian's expensively-assembled team face Liverpool on the back of a thumping win against Sunderland on Sunday. [LNB]The home side may have improved dramatically since fans favouriteKenny Dalglish became caretaker manager but Mancini is anxious for thefeelgood factor to continue until May. [LNB]City supporters are living the dream at the moment with an FA Cupsemi-final against Manchester United to follow on Saturday at Wembley.Mancini senses that growing feeling of excitement and anticipationamong those who have the club close to their heart. [LNB]Cityare looking to complete the double over Liverpool after winning 3-0earlier in the season when Roy Hodgson was at the helm. But Manciniknows they cannot afford any mistakes on Merseyside - his side lost toChelsea the last time they were on the road. [LNB]He said: 'It is not just this week that it is very important, it is the next four or five weeks.[LNB]'We want to go to Champions League and I am confident we can do so. Wewant to win as many league games as possible. We also have a chance togo to a final. [LNB] 'It will be important to win at Anfield because it would be important for our chances of getting into the Champions League and finishing either second or third in the table. [LNB]'But we have to play as well as we did against Sunderland. We have to focus on the game from the start and be aggressive.' [LNB]Pablo Zabaleta returns to the squad after returning home to Argentina to visit his father, who was seriously injured in a car crash. [LNB]Gareth Barry, James Milner and Edin Dzeko are all pushing for places in the team after being rested on Sunday. [LNB]Winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is also anxious to get a run of games after finding himself on the margins. [LNB]However, he insists he will give 100% after withdrawing a transfer request earlier in the year. [LNB]'I am always desperate to play,' he told BBC Radio Manchester. 'A new manager has come in and brought in players. He has to play them.[LNB]'I will put my head down and still work hard in training. I would be delighted to help City achieve things.' [LNB]Wright-Phillips revealed he had different goals growing up. [LNB]He said: 'I used to think about being a fireman or working in a bank. It looked exciting when I was younger, driving around in that truck. You don't really realise what it takes to be one until you are older.' [LNB]Micah Richards (hamstring) and Jerome Boateng (knee) remain on the sidelines through injury.[LNB] Arshavin, Clichy and Bendtner are Gonners as Wenger planning shock Arsenal clearoutWe deserve Champions League football, says City boss ManciniFor all the latest Manchester City FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Edin Dzeko, Shaun Wright-Phillips, James Milner, Roy Hodgson, Roberto Mancini, Gareth Barry Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Argentina
