Roberto Mancini is focusing all his attention on beating Villarreal on Tuesday, and insists the Champions League clash is bigger than next Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Manchester City are 8/1 with bookmaker to win Group A after picking up just one point from their first two games, and Mancini is fully aware of the importance of beating the Spaniards at the Etihad Stadium to boost their chances of progressing to the last 16.
“It is important for us to concentrate on Villarreal,” the City boss told the Daily Telegraph.
“If we can beat Villarreal – and I don’t think it will be easy – maybe we will have a better chance to go through to the knockout stages. If we don’t beat them, it will be difficult.”
Mancini’s side sit top of the Premier League after their 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, pushing United into second place, and the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Sunday 23rd October. However, the Italian is adamant he is looking no further ahead than Tuesday at the moment.
He added: “Beating Villarreal is our first target. Then we can think about the other games.”
