Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has urged enigmatic striker Mario Balotelli to shoulder more responsibility in the final stages of the season. With the Eastlands club preparing for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Wembley without Carlos Tevez, Mancini has asked the Italian firebrand to provide something in an important time of the campaign.
"Mario knows he has to take more responsibility," Mancini told the Manchester Evening News. "In the previous game against Sunderland he played very well.
"But against Liverpool (on Monday night), after it became 3-0 it was difficult for all of the players.
"In the next six league games, and in the semi-final and final, I hope Mario can score goals.
"He could be the hero," added Mancini. "On Saturday, if he plays, he has a chance to do well, and if he scores a goal that can bring us to the final, he can change his year.
"He has the big-game mentality to do it."
