- City face Chelsea on Saturday
- It’s their fourth FA Cup final in a row
- Guardiola has been discussing the game
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been discussing the importance of cup competitions ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
City face the Blues at Wembley this weekend, marking the 155th year of the oldest cup competition in world football.
Guardiola’s side advanced to the final by beating Southampton in the semis, while Chelsea overcame Premier League rivals Leeds United to book their place.
Both sides have won the competition numerous times, with Chelsea lifting the FA Cup eight times previously, and City seven.
This will be the fourth consecutive final for the Citizens, having lost to Man United and Crystal Palace in recent seasons, after beating United in 2023.
Pep Guardiola relishing ‘life of death’ FA Cup final
Speaking during Sunday’s press conference after City’s 3-0 Premier League win against Brentford, Pep Guardiola discussed the importance of competitions like the FA Cup.
He said: “It’s like life or death, it’s nice. And I think I tried with my staff since 10 years ago to make this club, from the first game in pre-season: we have to try to win! It’s not choosing competitions, games, work ethic.
“I think all of us, the chairman, CEO, sporting director, myself, players, inoculate in our bodies that we have to do our best every game! To respect our people, the job, all of us who are incredibly well-paid, we have to do it.
“If you are out, you are out. I’m a person who accepts more, when it’s fair, defeats because it’s part of the job, but we have to do our job. And also, as a manager, when you arrive in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup against League One teams, I’ll work harder!
“The players know I am, ‘Be careful guys! If you’re not who we are, we’ll be in trouble!’ It’s easy against [Real] Madrid in the Champions League, or Arsenal at home for the title, you know the team and the fans will be there.
“But that is the moment that defines clubs, as I’ve said many times: the consistency, during 10 years, in all competitions has been really, truly extraordinary. Extraordinary!”
FA Cup more significant after Premier League setback
With last week’s draw at Everton, City handed control of the Premier League title race firmly back to Arsenal.
They now trail the Gunners by five points, with on game and hand and three games to play for the Sky Blues.
Arsenal would need to drop points in at least one of their final two games to give City any hope of winning the league, meaning the FA Cup could be their only chance to add to March’s Carabao Cup triumph.
Saturday’s final could be a welcome break for City players
Given the situation in the league is no longer in City’s hands, Saturday’s FA Cup final will be a fantastic opportunity for Guardiola’s side to impose themselves on Chelsea and claim some more silverware.
The result is entirely in their own hands, with a one-off game on a level playing field to decide who lifts the famous old trophy.
As Pep said, ‘it’s life or death’ for City and Chelsea on Saturday, something the Catalan coach thrives on and openly admits he relishes.
