Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini demands improvement from Manchester City
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is demanding improvement as he targets silverware on all fronts this season.[LNB]Mancini is widely expected to lead a Barclays Premier League title charge having ended a 35-year wait for a trophy by winning the FA Cup last term.[LNB]City will also play in the Champions League for the first time this season and, after three years of heavy investment, Mancini knows he has to aim high.[LNB] Leading the way: Roberto Mancini (right) will be under pressure to win trophies[LNB]The Italian said: 'We need to forget what we did last year, that is finished.[LNB]'The pressure should be in the future. We want to improve.[LNB]'Our targets are top of the table, Champions League, FA Cup, to win every game and the Carling Cup.[LNB]'It is difficult to say who will win the title - Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool - but this year it is important to stay at the top for a long time.[LNB]'We want to try to improve and stay at the top until the end of the season.[LNB]'We will try to do the best we can in the Champions League.'[LNB]Mancini, whose side face champions and arch-rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday, is likely to come under heavy pressure should his team start to falter.[LNB] New boy: Gael Clichy (left) will make his Manchester City debut[LNB]His position was the subject of speculation in the latter half of the last campaign but he achieved the minimum requirement of a top-four finish - ending in third - and then secured a fine bonus in the FA Cup.[LNB]Mancini would not comment on the potential fragility of his status, but accepts the coming campaign is a big one.[LNB]'It is an important season because it is a new one,' he said.[LNB]'The other ones I have done are in the past.[LNB]'It is a very big season. I think it is important for me and the guys to work well and improve last season and I think we have a good chance to do that.[LNB]'I am not a magician but I am sure we can do a better job than last year.'[LNB]The derby element and the battle for supremacy in the city of Manchester has added more spice than usual to the Wembley season-opener.[LNB]For City it is a chance to lay down an early marker for the campaign but Mancini does not want to over-emphasise the importance of the encounter, although fans will relish a rare taste of the fixture.[LNB] Benched: Sergio Aguero[LNB]Mancini said: 'This one game is totally different from the Barclays Premier League or the FA Cup final.[LNB]'United have played this game a lot of times and it is normal for them to play this game.[LNB]'For us it is not, it has been a long time.[LNB]'It is also important because it is a derby and we want to win, like United.'[LNB]Citycontinued their expensive recruitment process by spending a club-record?38million on Argentina forward Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid.[LNB]DefendersGael Clichy and Stefan Savic are the other notable arrivals but Sunday's team - the absent wantaway star Carlos Tevez aside - is likely to have a look of last season about it.[LNB]Aguero will start on the bench meaning Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko could be paired together up front.[LNB]AlthoughMancini still wants to bring more new faces in before this month's transfer deadline, he feels this familiarity could be a big factor in his side's progress.[LNB]He said: 'We need other players but this year I think we will be better because we have played together for one year.[LNB]'With the same team, if we put in another two or three players, I think we are very close to the other teams.[LNB]'I don't know about a title or the Champions League but I think we are a better team than last year.'[LNB]Cityhave no injury concerns but Tevez, whose desire to move is well documented, is still on leave until Monday following his involvement in the Copa America with Argentina.[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMESneijder's off to Manchester... but it's not United! City 'agree' shock ?31m deal for Inter aceMartin Keown: I just can't wait to see Galactico Aguero light up City and the Premier LeagueAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB]
