The games are coming thick and fast for Manchester City. Too fast, it seems, for their manager.
After rescuing a draw against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, the Premier League champions face Sunderland in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off. Not enough time to recover from their Champions League exertions, according to the Italian.
SOUNDBITE (English)
ROBERTO MANCINI
Manager, Manchester City
"We play Saturday, 12.45. I don't understand this. It's incredible. We play Wednesday night, then we play Saturday 12.45. Now we have two days and 12 hours to recover very well."
Sunderland were the only team to take points off City in home and away fixtures last season. Martin O'Neil's side led 3-1 with five minutes to go at Eastlands, only for a late rally seeing City claim a point.
But Mancini has had enough of last-minute drama for one week.
SOUNDBITE (English)
ROBERTO MANCINI
Manager, Manchester City
"It's very difficult because every time Sunderland play against us, they play a fantastic game. But from this game against Sunderland last year there is a connection. I think this point [against Dortmund] in the Champions League will be important in this group. Last year, the point we got againt Sunderland when we were 3-1 [up] with five minutes to go, and after we equalised in the end with [Alekzander] Kolarov, was an important point in the league. I think we need to remember that game, it's important we get three points. Also it will be a tough game.
The game will see Adam Johnson reunited with his former colleagues after moving from City to the Northeast this summer. Despite being Mancini's first signing at City, a lack of first-team chances saw the midfielder depart with an air of frustration.
SOUNDBITE (English)
ROBERTO MANCINI
Manager, Manchester City
"I think that Adam [Johnson] played well here. The problem [was] maybe that he didn't play always. For a player like him it's important to play every game. And I'm sure that he'll do well and go to another top team because he deserves this. He's a good guy and a good player."
Yet to keep a clean sheet this season, City's defence come up against one of the Premier League's in-form strikers. With five goals in as many games, Sunderland's Steven Fletcher will be hoping to give Mancini something else to worry about.
