Mancini prepares Man City side

When Roberto Mancini told the press that his side could "change history" ahead of their semi-final with Manchester City it must have seemed like a decent soundbite, one which had the added bonus of getting under the skin of their opponents and fierce rivals Manchester United.

Now though, with victory secured in that game and an FA Cup final date with Stoke secured, the City boss must have a niggling feeling that his words may come back to haunt him. The words that got his side so fired up ahead of their clash with the Red Devils may have exactly the opposite effect come May 14th.



If the players conclude that they have already done the hard work in beating United and expect a win against the Potters to fall into their laps then they could be in for a very nasty surprise indeed.



After all, Stoke are no pushovers and did well to claim a point of the Citizens in their league meeting earlier in the season.



Then of course there's the impact Mancini's words will have on Tony Pulis men. Stoke are a tight-knit unit and team spirit is good. Their manager won't have to do much to persuade them they can be the ones that stop City changing history.



Indeed, Pulis may want to give his side a little history lesson of his own.



The Dons were another well-drilled, unfashionable side who made their own bit of history by seeing off the well-fancied reds.



Without realising it, Mancini may have played into the hands of his opponents before he even knew who they were.