• Champions League

Mourinho: City on course to win CL

ESPN staff
September 17, 2012
Jose Mourinho has seen Real Madrid make a poor start to the season © Getty Images
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Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho believes it is only a matter of time before Manchester City get their hands on the Champions League trophy.

City struggled in the competition last year, failing to escape their group, and they have been presented with a host of daunting opponents again this season: Borussia Dortmund, Ajax and Real Madrid.

But Mourinho, speaking ahead of Real's clash with City in Madrid on Tuesday, feels Roberto Mancini's men are on the brink of turning the corner in Europe.

"I don't think it is very different to Chelsea," Mourinho said. "Since Roman [Abramovich] bought the club, [Claudio] Ranieri was the first coach, then I came and we won the first league, some cups and some more titles.

"Carlo [Ancelotti] then came and they continued to win and finally they won the Champions League. With City it started off with Mark Hughes, they started spending money and buying good players.

"Then Roberto [Mancini] came and he has done a very good job. He has created a great squad, the first cup then the first title arrived. I don't know if it is this season or next season with Roberto, or with another person in the future, but normally in the direction the club is going, sooner or later they will win the big cup."

Real have one just one of their first four league matches, but Mourinho is ruling out wholesale changes for the City game.

"The line-up will not be very different, nor will I try to show any player that they are not in the best condition," he said. "It will be the best that I consider to play against opposition full of players of the highest level."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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