Mancini braced for Man City’s toughest month

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes next month will define his side’s season.

The Italian’s side host Austrian outfit Salzburg at Eastlands tonight (8.05pm) with a place in the knockout phase in sight. City will play seven matches in December — five in the Premier League — and 10 games in different competitions in the next six weeks.

Mancini said: “This month will be very important. During this spell we understand what we must do for the future. It will be very tough because we play every three days. But first we must try to beat Salzburg and go through to the next stage.”