Gael Clichy wants fans to help Manchester City overcome their Champions League demons as the battle for qualification from the group stages intensifies.
City host CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night in Group E and are currently two points behind Roma who face a tricky away fixture against giants Bayern Munich.
Tickets have sold out for the fixture after The Etihad offered two-for-one tickets and Clichy believes that will be the driving factor.
“We know our fans can be the twelfth man and we will need their help against CSKA,” he told MCFC Online.
“Our fans are among the best in England and they can be the difference on the night.
“There are times when they are not happy because they expect better from us and at those times, I guarantee we the players will also expect better of ourselves.”
City have stuttered in the Champions League this season but will hope a first win can elevate them above Roma if Bayern defeat the Italian side as expected.
Clichy added: “We have to take three points against CSKA on Wednesday because if we don’t, it will be really difficult to progress, no matter what happens in the other game.
“The past is the past and there is no point dwelling on how things have gone for us so far, we have to look forward and remain positive.”
The game against the Russian champions has been billed as a must-win for City but manager Manuel Pellegrini stressed how there are still more games to come.
“I don’t think it’s sudden death – you can continue mathematically but it’s an important game,” the Chilean told reporters.
“It’s impossible to be sure but I think this group will be decided in the last game against Rome in Italy.”
The all-important clash between City and the Italian side will be on December 10 with City hosting Munich before that on November 25.
Pellegrini still maintains that winning the Champions League is a realistic target even if they do squeeze through the group stage.
“There have been many times that a team has qualified out of a group with a low points total and then gone on to win the competition,” he added.
“Maybe there are also five or six teams at the same level or better but with a winning mentality and an ambitious mind, you always have a chance. That’s the way we must be.”
Main image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
