22 November,2011 08:22 AM IST | | Agencies
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini warns Napoli ahead of crucial clash in Naples
Roberto Mancini has placed Manchester City alongside the biggest European giants after his side's strong start to the season.
Two good:u00a0 Man City's James Milner (right) and David Silva celebrate a
goal. Pic/Getty Images
City are top and unbeaten in the Premier League after 12 matches, but suffered a setback in losing 2-0 away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in a match especially notable for Carlos Tevez' apparent refusal to appear as a substitute.
Roberto Mancini
They have since recovered to defeat Villarreal home and away, and are now second in their qualifying group ahead of tonight's crucial qualifying match away at Napoli, and Mancini believes his team are amongst the very best in Europe.
"We started the season very well and this confidence is important for the team," the Italian told reporters. "I don't think we are better than Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, but probably we are at the same level."
Mancini is aware that for his team to be successful, they will have to cope with an arduous fixture list. He continued: "We know that the season is long and probably we will arrive at a moment when we lose.
Every three days we have a match at the moment and December and January is going to be a crucial time. Winning then will be really important.
Key fixtures
' Manchester United vs Benfica
' Real Madrid vs Dinamo Zagreb
' Bayern Munich vs Villarreal
' Trabzonspor vs Inter Milan
