Rolando Bianchi has stressed his determination to fight for a place in the Manchester City side, but concedes he needs Sven Goran Eriksson to change his tactics.
The big-money signing made an immediate impact upon his arrival from Reggina when scoring on his City debut against West Ham United.
But the Italian has not started a Premier League game for almost two months and has previously hinted he may have to reassess his situation when the January transfer window approaches.
For now, though, Bianchi will look to force his way back into Eriksson's plans, but accepts he is not the striker the City boss currently needs.
"Eriksson told me he needs a quick striker," Bianchi told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Now I'm not in the group of players who are useful and I don't know if, on a tactical level, something will change soon. I can only work and change the situation only with engagement and by taking advantage of the chances I'll have. I'll do everything to allow the coach to change his mind."
If Bianchi's prospects fail to improve, then he admits he would prefer a return to Serie A, saying: "I'm here now and I want to struggle for a place. Should I not be able to do this, my thoughts would be to come back to Serie A. For me, playing is important."
15 October 2007
Ex-Reggina marksman Rolando Bianchi admits that a return to the peninsula is possible as he struggles to make an impression at Manchester City.
The 24-year-old fired his way to fame with 18 goals in Reggio Calabria last year, but has recently been forced to accept a substitute's role at Eastlands.
'I'm not used to being left out of the side and we will have to see what happens,' Bianchi told Il Corriere dello Sport.
'I'm from Bergamo and I the only way I know is to be stubborn and work hard. I have to convince the boss to change his ideas. Eriksson has explained that he wants a faster striker and he seems to have been proven right by the results, but Manchester City is a test I will succeed in.'
Despite his lack of playing time, Bianchi has shown promise when given the chance with two goals in five games in all competitions.
'I have set a reasonable deadline of December for things to change and then we will have to consider options as I don't like playing five or 10 minutes of games,' he revealed.
In pre-season, Bianchi had looked set for a move to Napoli, but the deal broke down as reports suggested that the Atalanta youth product had refused the move.
'I still ask myself what happened at Napoli and I want to repeat to the people there that I would never dream of snubbing their city or team,' he insisted.
'I have seen some strong words said on their websites and insults from Napoli fans, but I don't think I deserve that.'
It is believed that a number of Serie A sides, including Napoli, are keeping an eye on Bianchi and could swoop in January to end his English adventure.
06 October 2007
Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has named the following 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers away to Peru on Oct. 13 and at home to Uruguay on Oct. 17:
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Newell's Old Boys), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin), Henry Lapczyk (Olimpia)
Defenders: Carlos Bonet (Cruz Azul), Denis Caniza (Cruz Azul), Julio Cesar Caceres (Tigres UANL), Dario Veron (Pumas UNAM), Julio Manzur (Pachuca), Paulo Da Silva (Toluca), Jorge Nunez (Cerro Porteno), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors), Enrique Vera (LDU)
Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (Reggina), Diego Gavilan (Gremio), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Jonathan Santana (VfL Wolfsburg), Jorge Britez (Cerro Porteno), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul), Domingo Salcedo (Racing Club)
Forwards: Nelson Haedo (Borussia Dortmund), Nestor Ayala (Tigre), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers), Salvador Cabanas (America-Mexico), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica)
01 October 2007
Palermo supremo Maurizio Zamparini has hit out at Coach Stefano Colantuono after the Rosanero's 3-1 defeat at Empoli.
The Sicilians had led through Uruguayan youngster Edison Cavani, but they were hit by three second-half goals and lost 3-1.
The result was a shock given that the Aquile were unbeaten in four and had defeated Milan in midweek, while Empoli were searching for their first win of the campagn.
It seems that the heroics against the European champions were quickly forgotten by the fiery Zamparini.
'I am waiting for Colantuono to turn this group of excellent individuals into a team, just as Inter have,' he told Il Corriere dello Sport.
'I just saw a flimsy performance which was our worst of the season. Our position in the table is the result of moments of class rather than us playing well and Colantuono's sole task is to make us into a unit.'
Three points are a must for the ex-Atalanta boss as his men face Reggina in a crunch match next weekend.
