Manchester City v Reading: prospect of appearing at Wembley will spur City on, says Roberto Mancini

Manchester City v Reading: prospect of appearing at Wembley will spur City on, says Roberto Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the prospect of playing at Wembley will drive his team on against Reading.

Staying cool: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is confident his team can reach teh FA Cup semi-finals Photo: EPA

By Telegraph staff and agencies 10:27PM GMT 12 Mar 2011

City have not reached the last four of England’s most celebrated domestic tournament for 30 years and have not lifted a major trophy for 35 years.

Mancini’s side have a chance of ending that barren run on two fronts although they have a two-goal deficit against Dynamo Kiev to overturn in the Europa League next week after losing in Ukraine on Thursday.

“It won’t be hard to pick them up because the FA Cup is really important to us,” Mancini said. “It’s a really big chance for us to get to Wembley. When you lose a game, you want to play the day after. This won’t affect us.”

Striker Carlos Tévez, who is expected to start for City, will miss Argentina’s friendlies away to the United States and Costa Rica this month after being overlooked again by coach Sergio Batista.

Reading captain Matt Mills has called for his team-mates to take inspiration from Birmingham’s Carling Cup win over Arsenal.

Mills, who is hoping to shake off a groin injury in time to face his former club, said: “You have to remember it is only 11 against 11 and there are always upsets in football. Birmingham beat Arsenal to win the Carling Cup and you never know.”

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