Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has stressed the importance of winning the Europa League this season.
Mancini's City breezed through to the group stage with a 3-0 aggregate win over Romanian outfit FC Timisoara and the Italian highlighted how important it is for his side to take out the competition after missing out on Champions League action.
"It is an important trophy. I think the Europa League is difficult because you play more games," he said.
"But if we can change some players every game, I think we can arrive at the end and play in the final. It is not like the Champions League, sure, but it is important.
"It was vital we played a good game tonight and now we are in the group stages."
City won 2-0 at Eastlands on Thursday night thanks to goals from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dedryck Boyata to book their spot in the group stage of the competition.
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