Roberto Mancini takes his Eastlands side on an Austrian adventure.
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Manchester City start their Europa League campaign at Salzburg without the services of striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who is struggling with a dead leg.
Roberto Mancini will also be without defender Joleon Lescott (groin) meaning Wayne Bridge (ankle) is set to make his first appearance of the season.
Carlos Tevez and Jo are the only two strikers available to Mancini.
Huub Stevens’s Salzburg have taken only five points from their five league games so far this season.
They are expected to stick with a 4-5-1 formation, with Argentine striker Gonzalo Zarate leading the line at the Wals-Siezenheim Stadium.City goalkeeper Joe Hart says they are keen to put the disappointment of a 1-1 home draw against Blackburn on Saturday behind them and make a good start in the Europa League, with Juventus and Lech Poznan also in City’s group.
“It will not be easy, the place will be buzzing and Salzburg proved last year winning their title and their group in this competition that they are a decent side,” said the England number one.
“We are determined to bounce back from the disappointment of dropping points at home, though I don’t think we played badly at all against Blackburn.
“We have been solid defensively all season and that is important when you go away from home in any competition.
“We are in a very competitive group for qualification, and in such circumstances getting off to the fastest of starts is important. We can’t take anything for granted.” (BBC Sport)
Roberto Mancini takes his Eastlands side to Austria hoping for a big improvement on recent Premier League performances that have seen his Man City side fall away from the top four race. Average displays against Blackburn and Sunderland have left many wondering if the mega rich club can realistically challenge for a Champions League berth.
Shay Given is set to sit out yet again and a number of other important players are sidelined with injuries but the Premier League side should still have enough about them to get past an off form Salzburg side.
Highlights of recent Manchester City performances.
Manchester City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Manchester City 2-0 Timisoara