Dzeko poised for Real start

21Nov 2012

Bajnokok Ligája

Super-sub Edin Dzeko is poised to be handed a starting spot when Manchester City take on Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The Bosnian was on target when the Citizens lost 3-2 to Real in Bernabeu two months ago, having come off the bench to make an impact, which he has done on several occasions this season. However, with City 21/10 with bet365 to win at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, boss Roberto Mancini is poised to turn to Dzeko in a bid to unsettle the Real backline. The Italian said: "He can start here and he can play well and he can score. "He is an important striker and he deserves to play from the start, like Carlos Tevez, like Sergio Aguero, like Mario Balotelli, but it is difficult sometimes." Anything but a victory would see City eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage for the second season running.