Richards eyes cute City

Micah Richards: Ready for City's tough Champions League campaign

Micah Richards has called on Manchester City to be 'a bit more cute' as they seek to make an impact in this season's UEFA Champions League.

Roberto Mancini's men begin their European campaign with a tough trip to Spanish champions Real Madrid on Tuesday.

City, who also face German and Dutch champions Borussia Dortmund and Ajax, failed to progress out of the group stage last season and Richards feels they must use that experience to their advantage this time around.

He told the Daily Star: "Last season we didn't play too well in the competition.

Harder group

"We know there's a lot more tactics involved in Champions League football. We have to be a bit more cute, but we're ready for it."
Micah Richards Quotes of the week

"I think this year we have a harder group, although we've learned a lot from last time.

"We know there's a lot more tactics involved in Champions League football. We have to be a bit more cute, but we're ready for it.

"We've got the players to go and show everyone that we are a Champions League side."

City have bolstered their defensive ranks with the signing of Maicon and Matija Nastasic over the summer and Richards, who has yet to make his seasonal reappearance following an ankle injury, is relishing the competition.

He added: "A bit of competition just makes it a little better. I can't wait to get back playing and show everyone what I can do all over again."