Manchester City and Stoke both have the perfect opportunity to write another page in their histories with a win in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Roberto Mancini has warned his Manchester City players beating Stoke in Saturday's FA Cup final will be difficult.After clinching a coveted top-four berth by beating Tottenham on Tuesday, Mancini's men are now odds-on to end their 35-year trophy drought at Wembley.
Even though they have won just one of their last five meetings with the Potteries outfit, it is hard to imagine City losing, especially as skipper Carlos Tevez is expected to play some part after his recent hamstring injury.
But Mancini is trying to dampen down expectations.
In their own semi-final destruction of Bolton, and by putting Arsenal to the sword at the Britannia Stadium last weekend, Mancini realises Tony Pulis' outfit are a more complete team than many give them credit for.
"Saturday will be harder than United," he said.
"Stoke are a strong team and a very difficult team.
"If we want to win we need to play very well. We should pay attention in every situation. We cannot concede anything.
"To think Stoke are an easy team would be a mistake."
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes the power of the people could see the club lift the FA Cup for the first time in its history.
Pulis has nothing but praise for the club's raucous supporters as they prepare to face Manchester City at Wembley.Stoke may be the underdogs but go into the final showdown in a rich vein of form after only one defeat in nine games.
Pulis said: "We have built a community club over the last five and a half years that the supporters have really grasped and taken us forward.
"It has not been the players, it has not been the chairman or coaching staff, it has been the whole community that has done this.
"The FA Cup is about dreams. I have watched City a couple of times and they are a very good side with excellent players. I am sure next year they will move up an extra gear.
"They are an emerging force and we know what sort of task we are facing. But we are determined the players are relaxed and the supporters have a great day."
Pulis will have a lump in his throat when he leads the team out after watching the showpiece occasion as a wide-eyed child growing up in Newport, south Wales.
He added: "It will be very special. The FA Cup has been a massive part of my life. It is such a special day with great memories."
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