Bayern Munich vs Manchester City preview - Dzeko relishing Munich match-up

Posted Tuesday, September 27, 2011 by PA

Edin Dzeko insists it is the glamour of nights like Tuesday that attracted a galaxy of stars to Manchester City rather than the vast riches on offer at the Eastlands outfit.

City's second game in their debut Champions League campaign has taken them to the Allianz Arena, where they will face a Bayern Munich side that has won the European Cup on four occasions and reached the final only two seasons ago.

It is a tie between a team playing its 151st game in the competition and one playing in its second, and the one which immediately caught the eye when the group stage draw was made last month and confirms City's new-found status among Europe's elite.

And this, more than money, is what drives Dzeko and his team-mates on.

"It is not about money," said the Bosnian.

"It is playing against clubs like Bayern Munich, one of the best in the world. That is why we all came to Manchester City."

Dzeko reported that he won in the stadium once during his Wolfsburg days but conceded his overall record against the German giants is "not good".

A very similar sentiment could be expressed about the performance of English clubs in Munich.

Of 15 trips to face Bayern in competitive combat, only once has a team emerged victorious, the accolade belonging to Norwich in a UEFA Cup second-round encounter 18 years ago.

And this particular tie does not promise to be easy for the Blues either given Bayern have just completed a run of nine games in all competitions without conceding a goal.

Nevertheless, Mancini refuses to be intimidated and insists his team can win.

He said: "Why not?

"We are not here to lose. We know it will be difficult but we want to win if possible.

"I am certainly satisfied with the progress we have made, even if we need to improve a lot.

"This is the second game for us in the Champions League. Now we are a good team.

"But if we want to arrive on the top like Bayern Munich, who have such a big history, we need to work very hard."

Bayern have won their last six Bundesliga matches without conceding a single goal, scoring 21 in the process.

But coach Jupp Heynckes believes that will count for nothing.

"It is going to be a real challenge for us," he admitted.

"Manchester City are currently on a par with Manchester United, and that says enough really.

"They are a top European team. I am very impressed by them."

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has not conceded a goal in 838 minutes of football, but he recognises how big an achievement it would be to prevent Mancini`s men from putting one past him.

"No team has really put our defence under pressure yet, but I expect them to test us," Neuer said.

"It is important that we pick something up as that would take us a huge step forwards."