Thegoalmac has learned that Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has targeted success in this season's FA Cup, ahead of a third-round clash with Sheffield Wednesday.
City
have reached the final of the competition twice in the past four
seasons, beating Stoke City 1-0 in 2011 but succumbing to a shock defeat
to Wigan two years later that ended Roberto Mancini's managerial reign
at the Etihad Stadium.
Wigan - now a second-tier side - also
dumped City out of last season's competition in the sixth round and the
Premier League champions face another potential banana skin on Sunday
when Wednesday - who sit 10th in the Championship - head to town.
Pellegrini's
side are currently riding the crest of a wave, however, after a 3-2
victory over Sunderland on New Year's Day moved them level with Premier
League leaders Chelsea.
And while defending their title will no
doubt remain at the centre of the Chilean's thoughts, he is not about to
let complacency seep in against Stuart Gray's side.
He said: "We
have played three games in a week [over the festive period], three very
important games. We have finished and now we must start thinking about
Sheffield Wednesday and the FA Cup.
"For our team it is a very
important cup. We are eliminated from the League Cup so we will continue
in the FA Cup as far as we can.
"I am very happy with the way we
are playing; we have so many injured players but we arrange it in
different ways to continue winning."
The return of Stevan Jovetic
meant City were at least able to field a recognised striker in the win
against Sunderland, having deployed James Milner in that role due to
limited options in recent weeks.
However, they are still without key players Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and captain Vincent Kompany.
Dzeko
and Aguero will definitely remain sidelined with calf and knee issues
respectively, with Kompany - who has been troubled by a hamstring
complaint - closer to a return.
Sheffield Wednesday have won the FA Cup three times in their history, although the last triumph came in 1935.
They
reached the fifth round last year before a 2-1 home defeat to Charlton
Athletic denied them a sixth-round clash with city rivals and ultimate
semi-finalists Sheffield United.
Sunday's meeting is the second
between the sides this season, with City having annihilated Wednesday
7-0 in September's League Cup clash.
Frank Lampard and Dzeko
grabbed doubles that evening, their goals added to by Jesus Navas, Yaya,
Toure and Jose Angel Pozo's maiden senior goal.

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