• FA Cup

Mancini: Cup win would cap good season for City

ESPN staff
May 10, 2013
Roberto Mancini wants to end the season on a high © AP
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The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Wigan is live on ESPN this weekend. Coverage starts at 8am.

Roberto Mancini believes victory in Saturday's FA Cup final against Wigan would cap a fine season for Manchester City.

But the manager admitted that, having lost the Premier League title to Manchester United and been eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages, City have not achieved their major objectives and that last season had been better.

City face Wigan at Wembley on Saturday looking to win the FA Cup for the second time in three years.

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

"I think we did a good season but not like last year, because last year we won the Premier League.

"It is very important because it is the final, the second final in the last three years. The FA Cup is the second trophy in England after the Premier League. It is an important trophy for everyone.

"We have the chance to get another cup, and we want to do a good job. We know it will be difficult."

While City are second in the Premier League and Wigan are in the relegation zone, Mancini denied that his team are red-hot favourites to life the trophy, citing the difficulties they had in defeating Stoke in the 2011 final.

He added: "I don't think one team is favourite in the final. Also against Stoke, we were favourites and we had problems because Stoke played very well. I think this year will be the same. Wigan is a good team."

City have no injury worries, with both Yaya Toure and David Silva passed fit to play, and while Mancini said he "probably" knows which team he will choose, he will make his final selection on Saturday morning.

Costel Pantilimon, who has been in goal throughout City's FA Cup run, is expected to be preferred to Joe Hart.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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