Pep Guardiola said that winning the FA Cup would still be important for Manchester City, even if the victory in the final of Saturday will not mask a disappointing season according to their own high standards.
City was deposited by Liverpool for the first time in five years as Premier League champions and are confronted with a first trophy season since the Guardiola debut campaign in 2016/17 if they don't beat Crystal Palace in this weekend at Wembley.
Guardiolas men, with two more competition matches, have a fight to end to finish in the top five of the Premier League to guarantee the qualification of Champions League.
But the city manager stated on Friday that all the club's focus was set on lifting a trophy in their third consecutive FA Cup final.
“That is the problem, right? The FA Cup is not the first choice (trophy) now,” Guardiola said at his press conference for the competition.
“As soon as we are here, we naturally want the trophy. It is extremely important.
“But to win the trophy, you have to be there. And to be there, you have to win earlier games. And we have done it for many, many years in recent years.”
Erling Haaland is expected to start after making his comeback of an injury of six weeks in the absence of last weekend in the disappointing goal of last weekend at already related Southampton.
Guardiola added that he is not thinking of managing Kevin De Bruyne's minutes to ensure that he can also play a role in his last home game for the club on Tuesday against Bournemouth.
But the City Boss is not willing to take a risk of welcome Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.
The Spanish midfielder is approaching a return after suffering from cruciate ligament damage in September.
“He is much, much better,” said Guardiola of Rodri. “I am waiting for the doctors. If they tell me he is ready, he will start.
“We don't want to take a risk and take a step back.”