Barry and Milner face fitness tests
Reuters - Tuesday 13 September 2011, 10:19
MANCHESTER - Manchester City
midfielders Gareth Barry and James Milner will have late fitness
tests before Wednesday's Champions League Group A match against
Napoli, manager Roberto Mancini said.
Barry has an ankle injury while Milner had a clash of heads
in City's 3-0 Premier League victory over Wigan Athletic on
Saturday.
"We will try tomorrow morning," Mancini told a news
conference on Tuesday.
Big-spending City go into the game full of confidence after
making a perfect start to their league campaign with four wins
out of four and Mancini believes the match practice will be an
advantage against a team only one game into their season.
"Probably [it will help] because we have played five games [including the Community Shield]," the Italian said. "Napoli
have played only one game, tomorrow is exciting for us but also
for them."
The start of the Serie A season was delayed because of a
players' strike and Napoli only started their campaign on
Saturday with a 3-1 victory at Cesena.
City, who finished third in the Premier League last season,
are making their Champions League debut having last played in
the European Cup in 1968, while their Italian opponents are also
appearing in the group stage for the first time.
"It's an exciting day for the club because to play in the
Champions League after many years is a very important and
special day," Mancini said.
"Napoli are a good team because last year they did very well
in the Italian championship, this year they bought other new
players."
The other teams in Group A are Bayern Munich and Villarreal,
which Mancini said made for a very tough group.
"Four teams can win the group," he said.