Roberto Mancini believes that within the next decade, Manchester City will be on a par with this week’s Champions League opponents Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho jibed at the weekend in the UK Press that City had ‘no history’ in comparison to the nine-time European Cup winners, to which Mancini has been philosophical in response.
“It’s clear that we don’t have the history of Real Madrid, but Manchester City have won some trophies and we want to win more in the next 10 years,” he told his club’s official website today.
“We can’t win like Real Madrid because we would need 100 years to equal some of their achievements, but we want to try to win something and to continue to win if it’s possible.
“In the next 10 years Manchester City will be a top team like Real, but they have a big history and there is a difference.
“If we don’t have injuries for two or three months, we can not only do well in the Champions League and the Premier League, but the FA Cup and the League Cup.”
Even with that ambition, Mancini admits that facing Real on Tuesday will be a real test for his team.
“If Madrid leave Cristiano at home it’s better! Players like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are very difficult to mark. We will have our game-plan, but players like this can score a goal every game at any moment.
“Real Madrid and Barcelona are the best teams in the world at the moment and it’s difficult to pick one just player because they have very strong squads with more than 20 top players.”
The midweek clash pits former Inter Coaches Mourinho and Mancini against each other for the first time in nine years.
“I played against him twice when I was with Lazio [in 2003],” reflected Mancini.
“It was seven or eight years ago in the Europa League. We lost 4-1 in Porto and drew 0-0 in Rome – those were the only times I’ve played against him. I met him in Milan when he went to Inter, as well.
“I am happy for him. I think that to win the Champions League is fantastic and he’s one of the best managers in the world.
“It’s never easy to win whether you’re at Inter or Real Madrid – to win this competition is very difficult for any club. I think he is one of the best in the business.”
