Pep's Pep Talk: FA Cup Success 'Massively Important'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola emphasizes the importance of winning the FA Cup, even as the team faces uncertainty in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola emphasizes that FA Cup success is “massively important” for Manchester City, even if winning the trophy wouldn't redeem a season that fell short of their high standards. City's league campaign was disappointing, losing the Premier League title to Liverpool for the first time in five years.

Without an FA Cup win, City would face a trophyless season for the first time since Guardiola's debut campaign in 2016/17, making Saturday's final against Crystal Palace at Wembley a crucial match.

With two league games remaining, Manchester City face a challenge to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. However, Pep Guardiola emphasized that the club's focus is solely on winning the FA Cup, their third consecutive final.

“That is the problem, right? The FA Cup now is not the first choice (trophy),” Guardiola said, highlighting the priority. Despite the league uncertainty, lifting a trophy remains the primary objective for his team.

“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.”

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Erling Haaland is expected to start for Manchester City after making a comeback from a six-week injury absence in the goalless draw against Southampton last weekend. 

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola stated he's not planning to manage Kevin De Bruyne's minutes in the FA Cup final.

Guardiola wants to focus on winning the trophy, rather than conserving De Bruyne for his potential last home match for the club against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is cautious about Rodri's return from cruciate ligament damage sustained in September. Despite Rodri's progress, Guardiola is waiting for the medical team's clearance before returning him to action.

“He is much, much better,” Guardiola said. “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,” highlighting the club's priority to ensure Rodri's safe return.