Manchester City are struggling to focus on the challenge of West Bromwich Albion, as they prepare for this weekend’s FA Cup final, according to manager Roberto Mancini.
City host the Baggies tonight and the Italian is likely to shuffle his pack ahead of Saturday’s Wembley clash with Wigan Athletic.
However, he conceded the Latics are also in the position of having a midweek Premier League game distract them from their FA Cup preparation.
“It is difficult as our concentration is on the final,” said Mancini. “But we need to play these games and for us it is important to win.
“It would be better to have one week, but we play Wigan and it is the same for them. Then we have four days to prepare.”
Wigan are also in action tonight, as they host Swansea and look to bridge the three-point gap between themselves and safety.
City shared the spoils with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, when the two sides played out a goalless draw.
And the City boss is expected to make a number of changes for the Baggies’ visit to keep key players fresh for Wembley.
Vincent Kompany is one player who may be given the night off, but the City captain insisted Saturday’s final doesn’t make tonight irrelevant.
“Until we are safe for that Champions League spot we have to play the games like every other game,” he said.
“It is a big, big day for the club – it’s massive and everyone realises that.
“But it would be nice to win the game against West Brom. That would set us up really nicely.”
Image courtesy of BBC, via YouTube, with thanks.
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