Time to change history

Roberto Mancini said it is time to “change the history” of the club ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Mancini stated, “All my players should understand very well that this is a big moment for us. The first trophy is the hardest but it is time for City to win something.”

Saturday’s match will be City’s first FA Cup semi-final since 1981 when they beat Ipswich before going on to lose to Tottenham in a famous replay in the final.

Mancini has stressed that his team need not be overwhelmed by the occasion, as long as they keep their heads.

“I know we have improved a lot,” said the Italian, “When you build a new team you can always lose matches, like we did against Liverpool. [But] it is the first time in a year that we played like that. And it was better to happen at Liverpool than on Saturday. The important thing is that we don’t go there and think about the enormity of the game. We cannot afford for our heads to get full with the occasion. When we started the season our target was to reach the Champions League and try to win a trophy. We are one month away from the end of the season and we are in a good way. Now it depends on us – at this moment, we should be happy.”