JOLEON LESCOTT believes Manchester City now have the same never-say-die attitude as Manchester United following their late goals that secured victory at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday – a mindset which he is sure will help City in their must-win Champions League game at Ajax tomorrow.
City defeated Albion 2-1 with a 92nd-minute winner from Edin Dzeko after James Milner was sent off in the first half. Asked if City’s performance had been a trademark United display, Lescott said: “If we can take something from our neighbours and use it to benefit us, then great. We never know when we are beaten and have strength in depth in the squad.
“Edin coming on and scoring goals is a great asset to have. Playing with 10 men for so long [70 minutes] was hard. But we have got the manner of a side to us that not many people recognise and we showed it. Even losing a man we didn’t give up our ambitions. We tried to dictate the game.”
As City try to defend the Premier League title, this was the type of display required by champions. “Everyone knows we are a good footballing side. But when we need to dig in and be together we can do that. We showed that,” the defender said.
City are yet to win in the Champions League this season, losing their opening match at Real Madrid, then drawing with Borussia Dortmund three weeks ago.
“People are going to say the next two games are must-wins for us. But I think every game from now until the end of the group stage is a must-win,” Lescott said. “We can’t rely on other people to get results for us like last year. We will go into the game on Wednesday full of confidence after Saturday’s performance.”
Lescott has not played for City in the competition this season, with Roberto Mancini preferring Matija Nastasic. “Hopefully I am in the team on Wednesday but we have strength in depth,” Lescott said. “The manager knows what he is doing.”
Guardian Service
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Russian clubs remain hopeful
Russian clubs Zenit St Petersburg and Spartak Moscow go in search of their first points this week as they attempt to improve their country’s unimpressive record in the competition.
Zenit will hope to get off the mark against Belgian champions Anderlecht, who have one point, in Group C tomorrow, where Malaga (6) and Milan (4), who meet in Spain, are looking the likely qualifiers. Spartak, who lost their first two games, are also at home, facing twice former champions Benfica in Group G tonight without the services of Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady, who is out with a foot injury.
Spartak could be down to only one goalkeeper, third-choice Artem Rebrov after Sergei Pesyakov was injured at the weekend. First-choice goalkeeper Andriy Dykan is also sidelined.
Bayern Munich visit Lille in Group F while the Belarus champions Bate Borisov host Valencia. Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten is out due to a rib injury.
Juventus should be bolstered by the return of captain Gianluigi Buffon and forward Mirko Vucinic for tonight’s crucial Group E clash with FC Nordsjaelland. Buffon sat out Saturday’s Serie A win over title rivals Napoli with a thigh injury but is expected to be given the all-clear to return in goal in place of Marco Storari.
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