Pep Guardiola Stresses FA Cup Win Is ‘Massively Important’ For Manchester City

‎Pep Guardiola stated that winning the FA Cup would still hold great significance for Manchester City, even if securing victory in Saturday’s final doesn’t overshadow a disappointing season by their usual high standards.

‎Manchester City were dethroned as Premier League champions by Liverpool for the first time in five years.

‎They face the risk of their first trophyless season since Guardiola’s debut campaign in 2016/17 unless they beat Crystal Palace at Wembley.

‎Indeed, Guardiola’s men, with two league games remaining, face a fight just to finish in the top five of the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification.

‎But the City manager insisted Friday that all of the club’s focus was fixed on lifting a trophy in their third consecutive FA Cup final.

‎”That is the problem, right? The FA Cup now is not the first choice (trophy),” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.

‎”Once we are here, of course, we want the trophy. It is massively important.

‎”But to win the trophy, you have to be there. And to have to be there, you have to win previous games. And we have done it for many, many years in the last years.”

‎Erling Haaland is expected to start after returning from a six-week injury absence in last weekend’s disappointing goalless draw at already-relegated Southampton.

‎Guardiola mentioned he is not focusing on managing Kevin De Bruyne’s minutes, aiming to ensure he can also feature in his final home match for the club on Tuesday against Bournemouth.

‎But the City manager is not willing to take a risk on welcoming back Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

‎The Spanish midfielder is nearing a return after suffering cruciate ligament damage in September.

‎”He is much, much better,” said Guardiola of Rodri. “I am waiting for the doctors. When they tell me he is ready, he is going to start.

‎”We don’t want to take a risk and take a step back.”