Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini says Manchester City deserve Champions League football
Roberto Mancini insists that Manchester City deserve to reach the Champions League after their exploits in the Premier League this season.[LNB]City travel to Anfield on Monday night for a crucial encounter against a Liverpool side showing marked improvement of late and, despite criticism from some quarters that his expensive squad has failed to fulfil its true potential, the Italian isn't concerned.[LNB] Pointing the way forward: Roberto Mancini is confident that Manchester City will be in the Champions League next season[LNB]'This year our target at the start of the season was to finish in the top four and be in the Champions League,' said Mancini. [LNB]'I think we deserve to achieve this because we have been at the top most of the season with United and Arsenal, always being between first and fourth position. [LNB]'We now have seven games until the end of the season and we will do everything to be in the Champions League next season.' [LNB]With a squad full of highly-paid, international stars at Eastlands, Mancini admits he has at times struggled to keep all of his players happy in his attempt to create a winning mentality at the club.[LNB]'It is very difficult when I have to choose a first eleven,' he said. 'I understand the feelings that players gave when players are on the bench, it is very difficult. [LNB]'When you have 20 top players it is more difficult because every player is different but this is my job and when a manager chooses, he chooses the best players in the team. [LNB]'It is not easy when you have 20 different players in your team. You can only win if you have good players.'[LNB]However, despite the pressure and constant speculation surrounding his future, the former Inter Milan coach insists he is happy in Manchester and believes he can lead the club to the success that their fans and rich owners crave.[LNB]'I am very happy to manage here at Manchester City as it is a big challenge,' he said. 'I think we can become a top team in two or three years. We have improved a lot and this for me is a good squad and I am very proud to be here. [LNB]'It is very difficult to predict, in football the situation can change every five weeks. In my opinion Manchester City will be one of the top clubs in Europe in the next five years.'[LNB][LNB] Visit the Dugout at www.yahoo.co.uk/dugout for more from Roberto Mancini and new interviews every week with England's top football managers.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Roberto Mancini Places: Liverpool, Manchester, United Kingdom, Europe
