Manchester City have the chance to win a trophy on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola is keen to play the game rather than the occasion.
It has been almost two years since Pep Guardiola lifted silverware at Manchester City and this trophy drought could finally end at the weekend.
The Citizens are up against Arsenal, a team in prime position to win the Premier League and who could still win up to four competitions this season.
While Guardiola will be keen to conclude his wait for a trophy, he does not sound overly enthusiastic heading into the Carabao Cup final.
Pep Guardiola claims the Carabao Cup is ‘not crucial’ for Manchester City
Realistically, the Carabao Cup is one of two chances Man City have to win something this season, but their manager seems to be viewing it as a stepping stone to bigger things.
Guardiola is looking at it as a match which will tell him something about his team’s identity, but he is still keen to secure a victory.
He said after the Real Madrid defeat: “On Monday [after the cup final], hopefully we wake up, hopefully it’s a sunny day, and we will continue. It’s not crucial, it’s a football game, we are going to try to win, good performance.
“We challenge the best team in England, the best team in Europe. Challenge them, how we are, competing with them.
“After one or two weeks, play against them in the Premier League, and see. Sometimes they are better, so it’s a good mirror to see what we have to do.”
The City boss added: “It’s just a game, we’ll prepare, and try to compete, and see who we are.”
Man City must view the Carabao Cup with importance
Winning the League Cup is not the same as the Champions League. In fact, it is not really the same as winning the FA Cup either.
However, it is a chance to be successful and this is something which some of the newer members of the squad have never experienced before.
On top of this, a victory at Wembley would keep the team motivated for the rest of the season, increasing their belief that Arsenal are not unstoppable.
Whether Guardiola cares more than he is letting on remains to be seen, but he absolutely has to if City are to have a chance on Sunday.
