Mancini has admitted he has been dealt his fair share of bad luck in the Champions League.

The Galatasaray coach faces Real Madrid at the scene where his last European campaign with Manchester City began to unravel, his side conceding two late goals to throw away a 2-1 lead.

It was only the first game of the tournament, but it set a precedent in a group in which City would finish bottom without winning a single game.

Encompassing stints at Lazio, Inter Milan, City and now Galatasaray, Mancini is in his eighth Champions League campaign. His record reads three group stage exits - two with City and one with Lazio - plus two last 16 exits and two quarter final defeats, the latter four with Inter Milan.

``The last two years I was drawn with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and then I join Galatasaray who are in the same group as Juventus and Madrid, so I think I'm not very lucky,'' said Mancini in his pre-match press conference.

``But if you want to manage a top top club you have to play the very best, and I'm happy with this.''

Mancini does not have a clean bill of health for the match, however, as Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is out, while the Italian admitted that Wesley Sneijder ``is not 100 percent''.

A lot has happened to both Madrid and Mancini since he sat in the Bernabeu dugout 14 months ago to face a team then coached by Jose Mourinho, but the former City boss believes the nine-time European champions have lost none of their quality.

He said: ``I think that Real Madrid was strong last year and is strong this year. They may have improved because they have bought Gareth Bale and he is a fantastic player. They changed the manager, but we're talking about two top managers and it's the same squad. Playing here is always difficult.''

A home win and an away defeat to Copenhagen leaves Galatasaray second in Group B behind runaway leaders Madrid, level on points with the Danes and one clear of Juventus.

Assuming Juventus beat Copenhagen in Turin, then even if Mancini's side lose to Real Madrid, a victory over the Italians in the Turk Telecom Arena in a fortnight's time will see them qualify.

``It's mathematics, things don't change if we lose or get a point tomorrow,'' added Mancini.

``It's my opinion that the last game against Juventus will be the key game. But we have a game tomorrow, and in football never say never, we'll try and play a good game and win if it's possible. It will be difficult, but we want to try.''


http://sportshubng.com/uefa-champions-league-matchday-5-facts-figures-wednesdays-games/

Madrid is winin.......FPT

Scoreline Should Be 5-1 in favour of madrid.

Hmmmmmm! Tough!

yes

We are waiting for the goals...

my madrid will win even if my c.boy is not going to b to play da match. And mind u no undeserved penalty and no red card as well.

dnt think I will even watch the match because CR7 is not playing...

Madrid should win this one without Ronaldo.

Madrid all d way

Booked

Is it 7:45 or 8:45pm?

Clash of the titans

Even with the absence of CR7 and Khedira, I still see madrid winning this but the goal margin wouldn't be as the first leg.

Mods, ban that lunatic for Buddha's sake!

Madrid 2-1 Gala

The mods are obviously asleep, letting naijacele ruin the thread! Meanwhile its Real Madrid 2 Galatasaray 0. Mark my words!

expect Real to do great.
Gala Madrid.









5:0

Gala na food ooooo

why is our match by 7:45?

when will men & women footballers play on one pitch? Must it always be exclusively only men in one 90min.? Can't there be a combine team of men & women at both sides?

Nomski0: ROTFLMAO


I wish my baby could play. . Watching this match with him on the bench is heartbreaking.

I heart Cristiano.

what do you mean

1 - 1

Nomski0: ROTFLMAO


I wish my baby could play. . Watching this match with him on the bench is heartbreaking.

I heart Cristiano.

I'm fed up.
Who do you love the most? Cristiano or Neymar?