He said: "It is important to win this game because we want to top the group. We prefer not to meet the teams who come from the Champions League.

"It is also important for the players because we have a lot of matches coming up and we will need everyone."

Mancini has named a 19-squad, a mix of senior and young players, with an important match against Everton in mind on Monday.

As well as wantaway striker Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli is among those absent but the City manager said there were only football reasons for his decision.

The former Inter Milan striker was racially abused by some Juventus fans last year.

Asked why Balotelli had not travelled, Mancini said: "We have a game against Everton on Monday and games every three days so he is rested."

For Juve, full-back Zdenek Grygera could return from a knee injury, while Nicola Legrottaglie will definitely feature.

Filippo Boniperti, grandson of Juve legend Giampiero Boniperti, is among a group of youngsters who may play - along with Niccolo Giannetti, Vincenzo Camilleri, Marcel Buchel and Manuel Giandonato.