Mancini wants a super Mario

MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini wants Mario Balotelli to raise his game — even though the striker has an impressive scoring ratio in his first season at Eastlands.

Balotelli (20) took his tally to nine goals in 14 appearances in the draw with Fulham on Sunday.

Tonight the Italian could be back in action against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fifth round — the team he scored a hat–trick against in December.

Mancini is hoping his £24million buy from Inter Milan can kick on in the remaining crucial weeks of the campaign.

Mancini has re–iterated his desire to end 35 years of hurt and deliver a trophy to City.

The Italian manager believes if they can succeed this season it will have a snowball effect.

City are also still involved in the Europa League and travel to Ukraine next week for the first leg of the last–16 tie against Dynamo Kiev.

Mancini is fully aware of the history of the club and the fact they last won a major trophy on February 28, 1976 when Newcastle were defeated 2–1 in the League Cup final.