Tevez is City’s Rooney, reckons Mancini
That is because the Italian boss believes the Argentinean is just a vital to the team’s cause as Wayne Rooney is to Manchester United.
While Rooney is recovering from an ankle injury, Tevez will be aiming to put Birmingham to the sword tomorrow.
Tevez is looking to improve his 26-goal tally after finding the target in the 6-1 demolition of Burnley at Turf Moor.
He has settled in quickly after arriving at Eastlands in the summer from Manchester United.
Like Mark Hughes beforehand, Mancini knows how crucial Tevez is to the team. Mancini said: “We have had a lot of injuries. I hope that in the last six games we can play with a strong team. Carlos is most important for us like Rooney is for United.”
City are aiming to secure fourth place with the reward of a coveted Champions League slot ahead of Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Mancini said: “I do not know if we are favourites.
“There are four teams chasing that place and it will be difficult for all of us.
“We have to keep the concentration we showed against Burnley.”
For his part, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has warned Manchester City that his team are out to derail their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
McLeish said: “They (City) may see the game as a good opportunity to get three points.
“But we can certainly put a dent in their ambitions because of the previous evidence which shows we can do it.”
“We are delighted to be playing at a club like Manchester City.
“But we don’t want to be passengers admiring their stadium and the Manchester City players.
“We want to go there and give a good account of ourselves."
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