Pep Guardiola admitted that the FA Cup was not the top priority of Manchester City this season, but it insisted that his team would go all the way to win the trophy on Saturday.
City Face Crystal Palace in Wembley Stadium, with victory in the capital that offers a silver lining for what has been a “horrible season”, as said by Spits Erling Haaland.
The Guardiola team is in fourth place in the Premier League, 18 points behind Champions Liverpool, with an unprecedented form between November and December.
The citizens were also beaten by Real Madrid from the play-offs of the Champions League, so that the FA Cup remained their only chance of lifting silverware this season.
This will be the 14th FA Cup final of the city. They have won the trophy seven times, behind only Arsenal (14), Manchester United (13), Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham (each eight).
Guardiola has won the FA Cup twice (2019, 2023) and the EFL Cup four times (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021).
He could become the second manager who wins both large English domestic matches three or more, after Alex Ferguson (five FA Cups, four EFL cups).
And although City is in a good position to secure Champions League football, Guardiola acknowledged the importance of their collision with Palace.
“That is the problem, right? The FA Cup is not the first choice now. Of course we want it. As soon as we are here, we naturally want the trophy. It is extremely important,” Guardiola said.
“It was a disappointment last season [losing in the final to Manchester United]. But I am pretty sure that we will perform well, and we will compete against them.
“It is the final of the FA Cup, it is an honor and a privilege. The third time in a row is there and we have to perform well. We travel to London to win the title.”
The trip to our 14th #facup final!
Last stop: Wembley! pic.twitter.com/kb9hb6ehnp
– Manchester City (@Mancity) May 16, 2025
Guardiola, however, had words from praise for Palace, who participated in their third FA Cup final after they lost as 2016 as 2016 from Manchester United.
The Eagles have so far only admitted one goal in the FA Cup 2024-25, while they have scored exactly three goals in their fifth round, quarterfinals and semi-final victories this period.
And part of their success is due to the form of Ebereechi Eze, which has been involved in four goals in his last four games in the FA Cup (three goals, one assist).
The International of England had not registered or helped any goal at one of his first 14 performances in the competition, but has been broken into life for Palace in recent weeks.
Although City is unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Palace in all competitions (W4 D3), Guardiola was worried about the threat that the Eagles possess in the last third part.
“It's a fantastic team. They had a very good second part of the season. They have had Oliver for more than a year who works with the same players,” said Guardiola.
“They are a threat because they have quality. Mateta is strong, and the quality in Eze is clear, and of course the pace of Sarr. Wharton is really a good midfielder.
“They are defensively well structured and their set pieces are one of the best in the Premier League.”