Pep Guardiola Boasts His Team will Win FA Cup

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has vowed that his team will go all out to win the FA Cup when they face Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium this weekend.

Despite the FA Cup not being the club’s top priority this season, Guardiola believes that winning the trophy would be a significant achievement and a much-needed boost to their campaign.

City have had a tumultuous season, with striker Erling Haaland describing it as “horrific”. The team has struggled in the Premier League, currently sitting in fourth place and still fighting to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

They were also eliminated in the Champions League knockout phase playoffs, making the FA Cup their last chance to salvage some silverware from the season.

However, Guardiola is determined to make the most of the opportunity and has praised Crystal Palace, who have had a strong second half of the season under manager Oliver Glasner. Palace, who are 12th in the league table, are seeking their first major trophy and have a talented squad that includes players like Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze, and Ismaila Sarr.

“It’s the final of the FA Cup, it’s an honour and a privilege. Third time in a row being there and we have to perform well. We travel to London to win the title,” Guardiola told reporters.

Guardiola also acknowledged the threat posed by Palace, who have had a good run in the FA Cup, knocking out fellow Premier League sides Fulham and Aston Villa to reach the final. “They are a fantastic team,l. They have had a really good second part of the season. They have had more than a year with Oliver working with the same players,” he said.

The City manager also provided an update on the injury status of midfielder Rodri, who has been out since September with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. While Rodri is “much, much better”, Guardiola will wait for the doctors to give the all-clear before considering him for selection.

“When they tell me he is ready, he is going to start,” Guardiola said. “We don’t want to take a risk and take a step back.”

The FA Cup final is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to lift the trophy and end their season on a high note. For Manchester City, winning the FA Cup would be a welcome distraction from their disappointing season, while for Crystal Palace, it would be a historic achievement and a first major trophy in their history.