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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said the number of high quality teams in this seasons Europa League makes it similar to the Champions League.

He was speaking ahead of City's visit to Sporting Lisbon in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday.

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Manchester City thrashed Portuguese champions Porto 6-1 on aggregate in the previous round but Roberto Mancini insisted on Wednesday that there will be no complacency as they come up against a lower-ranked side in the Europa League.

Sporting Lisbon are currently fourth in the Portuguese league, 14 points behind Porto, and suffered a shock loss to struggling Setubal at the weekend.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini

"We know that the Europa League is like the Champions League because there are a lot of big teams - United, Valencia, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester City. I think that it will be hard to win this Cup but for us it will be important if we can arrive in the final. After in the final everything can happen but we are here for this."

City lost twice away from home in the Champions League this season, but midfielder Gareth Barry says the win in Porto has boosted their self-belief when playing overseas.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry

"The Porto game gives us great confidence coming here knowing that we beat a great team like Porto but at the same time it makes us aware that they play great football over here. We faced two tough games, both home and away, where they played some fantastic football so we're expecting the same against (Sporting) Lisbon so at the same time we're given confidence we have to be aware that we are facing a good team and we are expecting two good games again."

Sporting host Man City on Thursday before the return leg at the Etihad Stadium seven days later.