Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini: Mario Balotelli could be a hero if he scores against Manchester United
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Balotelli-c23937 could become a hero for the club if he scores in the FA Cup semi final against bitter city rivals Manchester United.
Manchester City face United on Saturday, April 16, and it is likely that Mancini will be without former United striker Carlos Tevez, as he limped out of Anfield in City's 3-0 defeat at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809.
Balotelli now will be a favorite to start against united in Tevez’s absence as City aim to reach their first cup final since 1981. The 20-year-old has got a mixed start to his Manchester City career, going hot and cold over and over again. The mercurial striker
has already netted ten goals in 17 starts for the club but it is his discipline that is a cause of concern for Mancini.
But now Mancini has called on the temperamental striker to take his chance against Manchester United and also for the remaining season, as the UEFA Champions League qualification is in sight as City are currently fourth, a point behind Chelsea.
Mancini said while speaking to reporters, "Mario knows he must take more responsibility. We have six league games, plus the semi-final and the final. I hope Mario can score important goals. He could be the
hero. Maybe if he scores a goal it could take us to the final. That would change his year"
Meanwhile there is good news for City as any fear of Tevez missing the run-in was cooled by Mancini. Tevez will be out for only two weeks with a hamstring injury.
"It will be very difficult for Saturday but he should be okay to return in two weeks," said Mancini of Tevez.
Meanwhile, Mancini has compared Edin Dzeko, the 27-million pound Bosnian striker, to Fernando Torres of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, but has defended Dzeko, who has netted 2 goals in as many starts in the FA Cup.
"We need Dzeko to be good now," said Mancini. "He has the same problem that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 has at Chelsea. Dzeko is a fantastic striker but when you join a team in January, he has new team-mates and a new manager with new methods."
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