Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers- Match Preview

Last updated : 11 September 2010 By DSG

Tevez suffered a knock during the victory against Spain in a friendly in midweek and is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match with Blackburn.

 

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The club captain indicated he might retire from Argentina but Mancini said: "It is important that a fantastic player like Carlos plays for Manchester City and the national team. The national team is always important.

 

"Would I mind if he carried on? No. But sometimes I would like Carlos and all players to stay here during the break. It is difficult when they re-start.

 

"The problem for me, like other managers, is that we have had players away on international duty. We work for two weeks with three players. It has been difficult."

 

Mancini is of the school of thought that would like to see international friendlies in August scrapped for a start.

 

"Yes I agree with this because it is incredible," he said. "After the World Cup some players came back but only stayed for three days.

 

"They did not train then they had a game with their national team. It is impossible for the players."

 

However Mancini was delighted that six City players finished England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in Basle.

 

Goalkeeper Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Adam Johnson and Shaun-Wright Phillips all played a part in the 3-1 victory.

 

Mancini said: "I was very proud. It is a fantastic thing for the club to have six players in the England team. It is an incredible situation for us.

 

"I think all our players did well and England played a good game against Switzerland. They have young players, who can play for long time."

 

Full back Micah Richards is in contention for a place against Blackburn after shrugging off a chest infection that caused him to drop out of the England Under-21 squad.

 

Meanwhile, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce believes nothing is out of reach for City if Mancini succeeds in getting the best out of his players.

 

New Blackburn signing Benjani Mwaruwari, who was released by City this summer, was critical of his former club last week, claiming there is no trust and that some of the players are motivated primarily by money.

 

Allardyce, meanwhile, used the examples of Kenny Dalglish guiding Blackburn to the Premier League title in 1995 and Chelsea's success under Jose Mourinho as managers who have used financial clout to bring great rewards.

 

The Rovers manager said: "Those are his (Benjani's) words and he's been in the middle of it. If that is the case then as a manager you've got to take control of that and make sure it reverses into a thriving football club of great quality.

 

"If he (Mancini) gets it right, as Jose got it right for Chelsea after the huge amount of spending that Roman (Abramovich) did, and if you look back here with Kenny, he got it right and Blackburn won the Premier League.

 

"You can buy a league now, obviously Blackburn have proven that, Chelsea have proven that, and you can do it in a short period of time. If you manage the players right and get that team spirit right, then you'll win anything."

 

Rovers' forward ranks have been boosted not just by the arrival of Benjani but also the return to the squad of Jason Roberts, who has resolved his differences with Allardyce after failing to secure a move away.

 

They could both play, but Keith Andrews (groin) is out and Martin Olsson (shoulder) doubtful.

 

Source: DSG

Source: DSG