Pep Guardiola insists that the FA Cup is “massively important” for Manchester City as they seek to finish a disappointing season at the top.
City began the campaign with great hopes of winning a fifth successive title of Premier League and running another race in the Champions League.
Real Madrid put an end to its European adventure on the playoff scene when they are not yet sure to qualify for the first European club competition next season.
The FA Cup therefore took on an additional importance and Guardiola was quick to play the story that the final of tomorrow means more for their opponents Crystal Palace, who have never won a major trophy.
He said, “Of course, we want it. Once we are here of course, we want the trophy. It is massively important.”
Pep 💬 We want to win for our fans. The guys traveling, I want to thank you for coming to London. Winning is much better than losing, but last year, we entered there four in a row and perhaps our mind was not perfect. But a year later, we are there again. pic.twitter.com/fjjqeo09jc
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 16, 2025
Guardiola Beware of the Palais de Résurgence
Victory will be far from simple, however, with Palace an upward club under Oliver Glasner.
“It’s a fantastic team,” added Guardiola. “They had a very good second part of the season. They had over a year with Oliver [Glasner] Work with the same players.
“It is the FA Cup final, it is an honor and a privilege. The third consecutive time being there and we have to perform well. We go to London to win the title. ”
City hopes to work better than what they did 12 months ago when they were surprisingly lowered 2-1 at Manchester United.
Guardiola said, “Winning is much better than losing. But you learn by losing. Last season was special because three or four days before winning the Premier League for the fourth consecutive time, so maybe our state of mind was not perfect.
“The team did not have a bad game, some decisions went against us. We lost it, in the final, it happens. It was important that we are there and still a year later, we are still there.”
Rodri gets closer to the long -awaited return
Guardiola said that he would use the same team as the one who had struggled in a 0-0 draw in Southampton already relegated last weekend, but revealed that the winner of the 2024 Golden Ball Rodri was “much better”.
The Spanish international has been unlikely to play Wembley, but has been getting closer to fitness since September.
