Roberto Mancini praises Manchester City attitude

Roberto Mancini praised Manchester City's attitude after they booked their place in the group stages of the Europa League with a 3-0 aggregate victory over Timisoara.

Goals from Shaun-Wright Phillips and Dedryck Boyata secured a 2-0 second-led victory for the ambitious Eastlands club on Thursday night and afterwards Mancini was happy with the commitment on display from a much-changed side.

"We had a good focus on the match because this game is difficult if you think it is going to be easy," he said.

"You start the game slowly and you can have a problem. But we started the game very well, had a good focus.

"It was difficult because they had 10 players behind the ball and sometimes we couldn't find any space but I think it was a good game."

Mancini is now looking forward to Friday's draw where City's group stage opponents will be revealed.

He continued:"It is an important trophy. I think the Europa League is difficult because you play more games.

"But if we can change some players every game, I think we can arrive at the end and play in the final. It is not like the Champions League, sure, but it is important.

"It was vital we played a good game tonight and now we are in the group stages."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email