As Manchester City look to prepare a January transfer deal for Carlos Tevez, Coach Roberto Mancini has deflected attention of the club’s current striker crisis by lavishing praise on Italian striker Mario Balotelli.
City are currently facing a serious striker crisis after injuries to Aguero and Balotelli coupled with Tevez’s suspension have ruled out all the 3 ahead of this weekend’s home match against Aston Villa.
However, according to one of the coaches, David Platt, the striker shortage does not in any way worry the side. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, a confident Platt downplayed the whole issue.
“We have plenty of ways of playing,”
“We have Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri, three who can all work off the striker as well.
“Let’s just concentrate on what we have available. We know we have a squad of players which means we can put a team out against anyone and make a good game of it.”
Meanwhile, in other Manchester City news, head coach Roberto Mancini has heaped lavish praise on Italian striker Mario Balotelli saying that the club’s Champions League ambitions rest with.
An elated Mancini could not hide his joy that the bad boy of football could finally be living up to his billing and proving that though he is prone to hot temper flashes, his talent cannot be doubted.
“I’m happy with him [Balotelli],”
“I’m sure this time he will continue to play well. He will become our lethal weapon in the Champions League.” Mancini was quoted as saying by Italian daily, Il Domani dello Sport.
The sad truth is that City are grouped in a tough pool with Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Napoli. Of course, two of those teams Bayern Munich and Napoli are having amazing starts to their respective seasons and being their maiden appearance in the competition, it will take more than just having a good squad to win the trophy.
“It’s a tough group” continued the Italian.
“Villarreal are almost out, there are three teams for two spots.
“I think that with 9-10 points the qualification is possible. Napoli-Bayern will be the key match: it won’t be decisive, but will give a direction to the whole group.
“Bayern are very strong, but in Munich there were two clear penalties for us when the score was 0-0. Their goals were casual and we were out of the match after 2-0.”
All that is left is to see whether Mancini’s huge gamble will pay off.
Photo credit © Manchester City FC – Official
