David Silva focused on Champions League challenge

Posted Tuesday, October 18, 2011 by The Sun

DAVID SILVA wants all derby talk banished as Manchester City bid to kick-start their Champions League campaign tonight.

Roberto Mancini's men have a huge date looming with their local rivals in a top-of-the-table clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

But Silva insists they must give their full focus to Villarreal with their European campaign hanging in the balance.

City have taken just one point from their opening two fixtures and they cannot afford to slip up again if they are to retain hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Silva, City's star of the season, has been on top of the world with Spain and dreams of something similar with his club.

To do that they will have to transfer their excellent domestic form onto the European stage — starting against the La Liga side.

Silva said: "We need those points on Tuesday. Yes, we are aware of the weekend, it will be a very important game because Manchester United are right behind us in the league.

"But first we have to take care of Villarreal. If we don't win, there will be a big distance between us and the teams at the top and it's a tough group.

"We need more games to get the same consistency. We have only played twice and those games have been against the very best."

Silva, 25, has been in sparkling form for both club and country so far with season — and turned in a masterclass for Spain against Scotland last week.

His boss Mancini believes the pint-sized star will soon be mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi and says he would not look out of place at Barcelona.

The former Valencia ace dreams of going to the very top and added: "It's going well with Spain — we have had a great run.

"But at City we are getting there and are up with some of the good teams. But let us see how we progress.

"I am very grateful for the comments the manager made and the faith he showed in me from the moment I got into the side.

"It is so difficult changing club and changing country and changing the style of football. It is down to the manager here that I have done so well because I am happy on and off the field and that is down to the manager and his staff."

Villarreal have opened up with two defeats in Group A and are struggling back at home, too. But Silva still believes they will be dangerous opponents as they have more experience in this competition than City.

He said: "Villarreal are a great side who like to pass the ball and hit you on the break. We have to keep as much possession as we can and make sure they don't get us on the counter."

Meanwhile, Mancini has challenged his players to get their Euro campaign up and running — then top the group.

City are already playing catch-up with Bayern Munich and Napoli leading the way, but the Italian boss is convinced they can be pegged back.

He said: "If we beat Villarreal everything in the group can change for us. It is not important if we play well — it is important that we win.

"We have to take account of the result between Bayern and Naples, but if we win we can still win the group."

Mancini believes they will need to win three of their remaining four group fixtures to make sure of progressing.

He added: "I think we have players who are mature enough to handle this.

"It is clear we need our supporters and after this game we have another three games — and with a total of 10 points we can get into the second stage."

The Etihad chief also warned Villarreal that Silva is ready to shine brightly against them and continue his amazing form.

He said: "Silva is one of the best players in Europe, if not the world. He could play for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"I saw him in the Champions League against Inter Milan seven years ago and he was astonishing. You could see his potential. And he has improved a lot in the last two years!"