An early end to their European commitments means Manchester City can give their undivided attention to reining in Premier League leaders Manchester United by making the most of their neighbours’ shaky defence in Sunday’s mouth-watering derby.
Already looking like a potential title-decider, the meeting at the Etihad Stadium comes in a week when Premier League champions City finished bottom of their Champions League group and missed out on even second-tier Europa League soccer.
‘Clearly this (European exit) can help us win the Premier League because we don’t play in the Europa League but we tried to play in it and that was our tactic tonight,’ City boss Roberto Mancini said after Tuesday’s loss at Borussia Dortmund.
Without European distractions, Mancini’s squad, who remain the league’s only unbeaten side, can focus on what most Blues fans believe is more important than continental glory - defeating United and beating them to the title once more.
Despite having lost three games, United hold a three-point lead over City with 36 points from 15 matches and the Manchester duo have been so dominant that they have pulled clear of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion (all on 26).
Elsewhere, Swansea City striker Miguel Michu, another of the top scorers, can continue his sparkling run of form when Michael Laudrup’s side welcome Norwich City to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Harry Redknapp’s relegation scrap at the helm of Queens Park Rangers continues when the Premier League’s bottom side travel to Wigan Athletic, who are eight points clear of Rangers in 16th.
Aston Villa welcome Stoke City on Saturday, while a well-rested Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on high-flying West Bromwich Albion, who are five points clear of the Gunners ahead of their trip to the Emirates. Arsenal are winless in five straight matches.
‘CITY WILL BENEFIT FROM EUROPEAN EXIT’
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says that City’s European demise has given Roberto Mancini’s side a clear advantage in the race for the Premier League title.
I honestly think it is an advantage to City,’ said he. ‘The less games, the less chance of injuries. It gives them a full week to prepare for games now, but on the other hand, you have to keep (players) happy. the advantage is there for them in terms of use of players and time to prepare for games, said the Scot.
MANCINI SAYS CITY MUST NOT LOSE DERBY
Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City cannot afford to lose the derby against title rivals Manchester United on Sunday. In this fixture last season, City came out on top 1-0 to move into pole position for the title, but he believes United are a better team this campaign. ‘They (United) can lose, they have three points more. We have three points less and we can’t lose. I think they are better than us in this moment, but a derby is a derby.’ ‘I agree because they were a strong team (last season) and they bought Robin and Kagawa. They put another 25 goals into the squad. ‘It is an important game. They have three points more than us and they have a small advantage, but a derby is a really difficult match for both teams.’
Already looking like a potential title-decider, the meeting at the Etihad Stadium comes in a week when Premier League champions City finished bottom of their Champions League group and missed out on even second-tier Europa League soccer.
‘Clearly this (European exit) can help us win the Premier League because we don’t play in the Europa League but we tried to play in it and that was our tactic tonight,’ City boss Roberto Mancini said after Tuesday’s loss at Borussia Dortmund.
Without European distractions, Mancini’s squad, who remain the league’s only unbeaten side, can focus on what most Blues fans believe is more important than continental glory - defeating United and beating them to the title once more.
Despite having lost three games, United hold a three-point lead over City with 36 points from 15 matches and the Manchester duo have been so dominant that they have pulled clear of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion (all on 26).
Elsewhere, Swansea City striker Miguel Michu, another of the top scorers, can continue his sparkling run of form when Michael Laudrup’s side welcome Norwich City to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Harry Redknapp’s relegation scrap at the helm of Queens Park Rangers continues when the Premier League’s bottom side travel to Wigan Athletic, who are eight points clear of Rangers in 16th.
Aston Villa welcome Stoke City on Saturday, while a well-rested Arsenal have the chance to close the gap on high-flying West Bromwich Albion, who are five points clear of the Gunners ahead of their trip to the Emirates. Arsenal are winless in five straight matches.
‘CITY WILL BENEFIT FROM EUROPEAN EXIT’
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says that City’s European demise has given Roberto Mancini’s side a clear advantage in the race for the Premier League title.
I honestly think it is an advantage to City,’ said he. ‘The less games, the less chance of injuries. It gives them a full week to prepare for games now, but on the other hand, you have to keep (players) happy. the advantage is there for them in terms of use of players and time to prepare for games, said the Scot.
MANCINI SAYS CITY MUST NOT LOSE DERBY
Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City cannot afford to lose the derby against title rivals Manchester United on Sunday. In this fixture last season, City came out on top 1-0 to move into pole position for the title, but he believes United are a better team this campaign. ‘They (United) can lose, they have three points more. We have three points less and we can’t lose. I think they are better than us in this moment, but a derby is a derby.’ ‘I agree because they were a strong team (last season) and they bought Robin and Kagawa. They put another 25 goals into the squad. ‘It is an important game. They have three points more than us and they have a small advantage, but a derby is a really difficult match for both teams.’