City face Blackburn Rovers in the last four of the resumed 2019/20 competition on Friday and victory would set up a clash with Chelsea or Manchester United in Monday’s final.
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In normal circumstances there would be weeks between the two games and Vicens, who has hailed the attitude of his players, believes having the final within their sights will be an added incentive for his team.
“Even though we are a really young squad, the players have been approaching training and games with a level of professionalism,” he said.
“I wouldn’t expect anyone to be relaxed, or to think it will be easy, at all. I think the players know the importance of the competition.
“In the early stages, after a game, you go back to your league fixtures and wait for the next round.
“On this occasion, if we win on Friday, the final is just around the corner and I think that will provide extra motivation to perform well.”
City booked their place in the last four with a 1-0 win over Burnley back in March, before the Academy games programme was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vicens, who was the assistant coach to Gareth Taylor when we lost the 2018/19 final, is pleased his players will have the opportunity to finish the competition, particularly for those for whom this is the last chance to try and lift the prestigious trophy.
“Once we found out that this competition was going to be finished, we were happy the lads would have the opportunity to finish it properly,” he added.
“Especially after what happened the previous season, when we lost in in the final at the Academy Stadium.
“Some of the players that played will still be in this squad, so it was a good opportunity for them to have a second chance.”
The Spaniard expects Blackburn, like City, to field a squad made up of under-23s and under-18s players.
We go into the game as the reigning under-18 national champions, but Vicens has warned his squad cannot afford to be complacent against a side which has caused us problems in recent years.
“In the past seasons, every time we play them it has been a tough game, with the EDS or the under-18s,” he said.
“The recent EDS game was a really tough one and we ended up losing 2-1. Last season the under-18s lost 2-1 away and won 2-1 at home.
“Blackburn are always an aggressive team, they can play and they have some threats on the wing and up front.
“I expect a tough game and we need to prepare properly because if not it will be really difficult.”
