Marchisio wary of City clash

Marchisio: Eastlands test

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is preparing for a tough test against Manchester City on Thursday.

The Turin giants are readying themselves for their second Europa League group game which sees them take on Roberto Mancini's big spenders at Eastlands midweek.

Juve were forced to come from two goals down before claiming a 3-3 draw against little-known Lech Poznan on home soil last time out.

And Marchisio knows all too well the Italians will have to be on top of their game against City if they are to avoid defeat.

He told Sky Italia: "They're a great team, have players of great value, and they are in a good form because they just beat Chelsea.

"It will be very difficult for us even for the tradition that the Italian teams have against the British (ones)."

Omission

Marchisio was left out of the Juventus side that played Cagliari at the weekend but the Italian international insists boss Luigi Del Neri was merely keeping him fresh for the Serie A side's Europa League clash at Eastlands.

He said of being left out of the 4-2 league win: "The exclusion with Cagliari? No problem, the coach makes his choices. I took it very well, it's right that we rotate to maintain top condition."

Marchisio also offered words of comfort for under-fire team-mate Felipe Melo, who was criticised by Brazilian media after the South American's World Cup exit in the summer.

Midfielder Melo has become Brazil's equivalent of West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, who became the fall-guy for England's demise in South Africa but his team-mate added: "He is always a great guy, playful.

"I think he is reloaded in the field after the World Cup, after all the critics from the international press."