Tevez played enough to start in the FA Cup final

 

'I don't think Tevez played enough to start in the FA Cup final’ – Mancini plays down striker’s chances of starting for Manchester City at Wembley

Argentina international came on for last seven minutes of 1-0 victory over Tottenham, but his manager doesn't feel he has had enough match-time to start showpiece

By Greg Stobart at Eastlands

Despite managing ten minutes on his return from injury against Tottenham, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini doesn’t think he will start Carlos Tevez in the up-coming FA Cup final versus Stoke City on Saturday.

Manchester City won the match 1-0 in ironic circumstances as Peter Crouch scored an own-goal at the very same end as he scored last season, only a year ago his goal helped Tottenham, rather than their opponents.

Tevez came on with seven minutes to go with his side already in the lead and went on to have a lively cameo, almost setting up Patrick Vieira for a goal that would have sealed the three points.

Before kick-off, many suggested that Tevez being named on the bench against Spurs meant he would be an almost shoo-in to start against Stoke on Saturday in arguably the club’s biggest match in 35 years.

However, Mancini’s post-match comments seem to suggest the opposite, with the Italian appearing non-committal, suggesting he needs more playing time before making first start since playing Liverpool in April.

Speaking after the match, Mancini said: “It was difficult to give him 30 minutes in this game. I don't think he played enough to start in the final.

“It was important he played for 15 minutes. We have four days; I will use all the time to decide.

“I don't think he can be 100 per cent ready. He's only been training for a week and he played 15 minutes. We will see.”

Prior to coming on, the Argentina international seemed frustrated on the bench, often voicing his wish to enter the fray in a somewhat petulant manner, but Mancini is not reading into it.

He added: “I was concentrating on the game. I don't know – I didn't hear anything.”

Tevez aside, the former Inter boss was just relieved to finally have fourth place nailed down and hinting that the performance and result will give his players a confidence boost ahead of the FA Cup final on Saturday.

“Today was important for fourth position,” he said. “The result will probably give us a lift but it will not be easy to prepare a final in four days because Tottenham is a fantastic team.

“I think Saturday will be a very, very hard game. Stoke are a difficult team and it's important we recover in the next few days.

“It will be a big mistake to think it will be easy. If we concentrate and focus, then maybe we can win.”

Source : Goal.com

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