It's a big weekend for Roberto Mancini as his Tevez-less team take on Manchester United in the FA Cup semi final clash.
While the focus of midweek was inevitably on Carlo Ancelotti and his dangerous future at the club, out attention now virtually turns back to another Italian, who is also under severe pressure at his club, Manchester City.
Roberto Mancini has literally been the talk of the press ever since the season started. Every victory for Manchester City has been greeted with a huge sense of optimism while every defeat places him in the bad books of both the media and press. Obviously enough, pressure has always been a huge part of Mancini's time at Eastlands.
However, this weekend's clash with Manchester United represents the biggest challenge yet for Mancini in his turbulent reign as a manager of City. While Champions League qualification was the obvious target this season, a trophy was another minimum expectation from Mancini's Arabian bosses.
After being effectively dumped out of the Europa League and Carling Cup, the FA Cup represents their sole chance of silverware this season. This simple fact transforms a prominent Manchester derby into a blockbuster one for Mancini particularly.
Nevertheless, the outcome of tomorrow's game could play a significant role in Mancini's future at the club. And to make things worse for the Italian, his most important player in his squad has been ruled out of the massive clash with the Red Devils.
Carlos Tevez suffered a hamstring strain after minutes into the defeat against Liverpool last weekend and medical reports have ruled him out for at least four weeks- during which City take part in the most crucial segment of the season.
However, the obvious concern definitely relates to this clash at the City of Manchester stadium tomorrow. Carlitos has been in transcendent form for the Villains this season and has arguably been City's most important player.
Tevez has made and scored more goals than any other players in the Premier League this season- with six assists and 19 goals. While his importance to the club is certainly not questionable, Manchester City's ability to grind out results against the best without Tevez is almost certainly under major doubt.
Without the Argentinean, City have always looked a different side that lacked spirit and determination. It is true that Tevez does score a lot of goals for them but his importance to the club is beyond goals and assists. He creates a buzz on the field with his timely runs and puts even the best defenders under severe pressure throughout games.
Therefore, Mancini now has an extensive complication on his hand ahead of a decisive fixture against their local rivals. Perhaps it's almost time for Edin Dzeko to step up his game after not making any recognizable impact for them since joining last winter.
Regardless of any things mentioned above, the Italian only has little time to sort out his squad and if he makes one single mistake, we can almost be sure that the Red Devils will be there on time to pounce on their victims.
Roberto Mancini has literally been the talk of the press ever since the season started. Every victory for Manchester City has been greeted with a huge sense of optimism while every defeat places him in the bad books of both the media and press. Obviously enough, pressure has always been a huge part of Mancini's time at Eastlands.
However, this weekend's clash with Manchester United represents the biggest challenge yet for Mancini in his turbulent reign as a manager of City. While Champions League qualification was the obvious target this season, a trophy was another minimum expectation from Mancini's Arabian bosses.
After being effectively dumped out of the Europa League and Carling Cup, the FA Cup represents their sole chance of silverware this season. This simple fact transforms a prominent Manchester derby into a blockbuster one for Mancini particularly.
Nevertheless, the outcome of tomorrow's game could play a significant role in Mancini's future at the club. And to make things worse for the Italian, his most important player in his squad has been ruled out of the massive clash with the Red Devils.
Carlos Tevez suffered a hamstring strain after minutes into the defeat against Liverpool last weekend and medical reports have ruled him out for at least four weeks- during which City take part in the most crucial segment of the season.
However, the obvious concern definitely relates to this clash at the City of Manchester stadium tomorrow. Carlitos has been in transcendent form for the Villains this season and has arguably been City's most important player.
Tevez has made and scored more goals than any other players in the Premier League this season- with six assists and 19 goals. While his importance to the club is certainly not questionable, Manchester City's ability to grind out results against the best without Tevez is almost certainly under major doubt.
Without the Argentinean, City have always looked a different side that lacked spirit and determination. It is true that Tevez does score a lot of goals for them but his importance to the club is beyond goals and assists. He creates a buzz on the field with his timely runs and puts even the best defenders under severe pressure throughout games.
Therefore, Mancini now has an extensive complication on his hand ahead of a decisive fixture against their local rivals. Perhaps it's almost time for Edin Dzeko to step up his game after not making any recognizable impact for them since joining last winter.
Regardless of any things mentioned above, the Italian only has little time to sort out his squad and if he makes one single mistake, we can almost be sure that the Red Devils will be there on time to pounce on their victims.
