Dzeko's rallying call
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko hopes the team can shrug off the absence of key players to salvage something from their dismal European campaign.
City cannot reach the Champions League knockout stages and have just a consolation spot in the Europa League to aim for as they head into their final Group D game against Borussia Dortmund.
The English champions need to win in Germany to have any chance of achieving even that and they must do so without the inspirational pair of Yaya Toure and David Silva.
Toure is taking an enforced break ahead of Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated derby against Manchester United through suspension while playmaker Silva did not travel due to a hamstring injury.
Midfielder James Milner and left-backs Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov are also injured for the clash at the Westfalenstadion.
Dzeko said: “We still have a chance to play in the Europa League.
“We will do our best to try to win because only if we win can we continue in the Europa League.
“It won’t be easy and we have a few players missing but we will do our best because everything is possible in football.
“In the Champions League we didn’t play like we wanted, I think in the Premier League we are playing very good.
“We haven’t lost any games and I hope we will continue like that.
“If we can play in the Europa League that would be good for us.”
Silva could be doubtful for the United clash at the Etihad Stadium, when top spot in the Barclays Premier League as well as local pride will be at stake.
Manager Roberto Mancini said: “We don’t know if he can recover for the derby. We will try.”
While changes to the team are likely in Dortmund, Mancini insists the looming derby has not affected his preparations.
He said: “We are a good team. We are a good club. We want to play well and try to win.
“We have brought here all the players that are available. The other players that stay at home are injured.
“The players that are here will do everything to win this game.
“It will be difficult because I think in this moment Borussia are one of the best teams in Europe.”
There is a feeling in some quarters that City might be better served in their title defence now by being out of Europe altogether.
Mancini acknowledges the second-tier competition would present difficulties but knows a good run in it could improve the club’s ranking when it comes to seedings.
The Italian said: “It could be difficult because in the Europa League you play Thursdays and you don’t have a lot of days to recover for the Premier League, but we need to try to stay in Europa League.”
