City seek cup final flourish

After their dramatic Premier League victory last term, City and Mancini began this term with high expectations but they have failed to build on that achievement.

Manchester United reclaimed the domestic title at a canter and City slumped out of the Champions League at the group stage.

That has left them chasing the consolation prizes of second place and the FA Cup, for which they play Wigan in the final at Wembley today.

Mancini said: “When you start the season you want to win the best trophies or the most trophies but sometimes it is not possible.

“I think we did a good season but not like last season.

“I think the FA Cup is the second trophy in England after the Premier League. It is an important trophy for everyone.

“To play a final at Wembley is fantastic.

“For us it is the second final in two years. We have the chance to get another cup and we want to do a good job. We know it will be difficult.”

Given the disappointments of the title race, which ceased to be a meaningful contest in February, the excitement of the build-up to the FA Cup final has not matched that of two years ago.

In 2011 there was a sense of a new adventure beginning as City chased a first trophy in 35 years, something they achieved with victory over Stoke.

But Mancini is no less determined and is taking nothing for granted against a Wigan side who remain in serious relegation trouble at the bottom of the Premier League.

Indeed, Mancini has been impressed by Roberto Martinez’s side despite their continuing struggles and is taking no notice of City’s status as odds-on favourites.

The Italian said: “I don’t think in the final there is one team favourite.

“Against Stoke we were favourites but we had problems because Stoke played very well.

“I think this year will be the same. Wigan are a good team.

“The final is the final, it is not important what can happen in the Premier League tomorrow.

“But after that I think they have a chance (to stay up) because they have another two games to stay in the Premier League. They have a good chance. Martinez, in this moment, is a very strong manager and he knows the situation.”

City are hoping to secure silverware for a third successive season with victory over Wigan.

The importance of the occasion to the club was evident as manager Roberto Mancini made eight changes and rested several players for the Barclays Premier League win over West Brom in midweek.

James Milner was one of only three players retained from the side which drew at Swansea last weekend to face the Baggies as the likes of Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta, David Silva and Sergio Aguero had the night off.

Milner said: “We are confident. We have had a couple of games in quick succession over the past week and it was obviously pleasing to get a win earlier in the week.

“It was an important win for us in the league, without playing our best, which is obviously pleasing. That gives everyone confidence.

“A lot of the boys are rested and ready to go into the game at the weekend.”

For his part, Martinez has told his players they should dare to dream about the possibility of victory today.

Talk of the Latics’ first appearance in one of the showpiece days in the English football calendar has inevitably included discussion about a relegation fight they now look certain to lose.

Yet it is an undeniable truth that a win today will have an effect on Wigan that will last far longer than what league they end up playing in next season. And the impact of such a success is not lost on Martinez.

“You have to dream and the bigger the dream the bigger the achievement,” he said.

“Winning the FA Cup would be there forever.

“Just arriving in the final is a photographic moment in the history of our football club. Winning a major trophy would take our club to a different level.

“We are all well aware what this could mean. There are a billion people watching this game.

“It is one of those key moments that help develop awareness.

“When we signed Roger Espinoza he was already a Wigan fan, which makes you aware of our exposure around the world is bigger than many people think.

“But tomorrow is as good as it gets and we need to take advantage.”