Even the Italian didn't sound terribly convinced as he held court at City's Carrington training base, and it was not long before he was comparing what promises to be a fascinating game against Stoke City to the last domestic final at Wembley.
Arsenal arrived at the Carling Cup final in February in strikingly similar circumstances to City. There was the same pressure, the same weight of expectation, the same desperate longing for that elusive silverware.
Under pressure: Roberto Mancini is hoping to lead Manchester City to FA Cup glory
For City, of course, it has been a much longer wait. Another 29 years, to be exact. But Mancini can see the parallels and he will use Arsenal's bitter experience, the way they crumbled in the face of Birmingham City's determination and defiance, as a warning to his players.
'Arsenal against Birmingham is a perfect situation (example),' he said. 'I will remind the players of that but they know that against Stoke it will be very hard. I've played against Stoke three or four times in one year and we've had a problem in every game. Every game! They're not easy to play against.'
It's actually five games and, like Mancini said, City have experienced their difficulties, winning only once, losing once and drawing the other three. Now certainly looks like a bad time to be playing them, despite the fact that concerns remain over the fitness of Matthew Etherington and Robert Huth.
On route: Manchester City players appeared in good spirits as they journeyed to London
Tony Pulis's side were superb in the way they beat Arsenal last weekend; outstanding, too, during their emphatic semi-final victory against Bolton.
They might be uncompromising and awkward but much of the criticism that has been levelled at them is grossly unfair they are so much more than a long-throw team but Mancini does consider them a unique challenge in the Barclays Premier League.?
Some of his comments might be viewed by Pulis as patronising, even if Mancini always comes across as one of the most polite men in football. Asked if the physically imposing Stoke were the last team he would want to face in such a match, he replied: 'Yes, because they're different from any other team. In my opinion football should be played with the foot. If we play very well and have concentration for 95 minutes, I think we can win, but I know it will be difficult.'
Thumps up: Carlos Tevez (back left) looks set to feature for City in the FA Cup Final
He sees Stoke being every bit as committed as Birmingham were in February. 'For them it's a massive game, one of the biggest for the last 10 or 20 years,' he said. 'They know that to win they will have to play at 200 per cent, and I'm sure they will play at 200 per cent.
'We have to focus on every situation and we have to do it now, not just on Saturday morning. That would be impossible. If we start to think about the game now we can do a good job. Things like the set-pieces could be difficult for us.'
Pulis would be entitled to point out that this is the biggest game for City in more than 20 years a chance to lift their first? trophy since 1976.
But perhaps Mancini was simply guarding against complacency, leaving his players in no doubt that this will not be the kind of one-sided contest many anticipated before Birmingham sprang that surprise against Arsenal.
City's manager reminded his players about the importance of discipline, with players like Mario Balotelli clearly the target of such a warning.
'Stoke are a physical team and the game will be 95 minutes and even more if there's extra-time,' he said. 'I think we should be patient and work hard.
Bad memories: Ryan Shawcross (centre) scores for Stoke as they beat City in last season's FA Cup
'We lost 3-1 in extra-time when we played Stoke in the FA Cup last season. That game was incredible because we deserved to win. But, as I said, every game we play against Stoke can be difficult.
'Every team have their own style. But it is important that we try to play good football, to keep the ball on the floor, to try to shift the ball very quickly.
Manchester City v Stoke FA Cup Final teams
'In 90 minutes anything can happen. I don't know. I think in 90 minutes, if we deserve to win, we will win, and if we don't deserve to win, we won't win. But we want to do everything to try to win this game.
'I don't know if Balotelli plays but all the players should be very, very cool.'
In some respects, however, they need to be hotter than they have been. Since beating Manchester United in their semi-final, they have not been that convincing. They beat Tottenham on Tuesday to secure a top-four finish but Harry Redknapp's side played the better football at Eastlands, and prior to that City lost at Everton.
If they deliver another such performance, they could be vulnerable to players like Kenwyne Jones, Jon Walters and Jermaine Pennant never mind the long throws of Rory Delap.
As Pulis said: 'The FA Cup has been amassive part of my life. It is such a special day with great? memories.I have watched City a couple of times and they are a very good side with excellent players. But the FA Cup is about dreams.'
Mancinihas said he has players who can cope with the big occasion, England players who have experience of playing at Wembley, a striker in Carlos Tevez who has tasted European Cup success with United.
WillTevez start? He should, given how poor Edin Dzeko was against Tottenhamand how determined the club captain will be to overcome any fitness issues and sign off with a trophy if this is his last game for City.
Whilehe does seem resigned to losing him, Mancini clearly hopes a trophy might yet convince Tevez to honour his five-year contract.
Itis that kind of game for City ? a springboard to more success and something that could galvanise the club and provide further proof to their owners that their ?350m investment has been money well spent.
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?Explore more:People: Matthew Etherington, Edin Dzeko, Tony Pulis, Harry Redknapp, Robert Huth, Roberto Mancini, Mario Balotelli Places: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail