Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that winning the FA Cup would ease the pressure on the club, after a hugely disappointing season.
The Premier League champions have suffered a dismal campaign so far, losing out to Real Madrid in the first knockout round of the UCL and losing ground on their league defense leaving the FA Cup as their only realistic hope for a silverware.
City endured a tough spell between October and December where they suffered 10 defeats in 13 matches in all competitions, including embarrassing losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Sporting Lisbon.
“We have to make the final first. Too many matches this season have not been good. We will avoid bigger damage for the club [if we win the FA Cup],” Guardiola said on Friday.
“From my point of view, the biggest thing in the season is the Premier League.”
Manchester City are also locked in a battle to secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League, as they are currently up to third on the standings, although just four points ahead of Aston Villa in seventh.
The Cityzens eliminated Bournemouth in the quarterfinals to book a Wembley trip where they will face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
“The FA Cup keeps us safe. But the Premier League dictates how good your season has been, and it has not been good, but it could be worse.
It is in our hands and we have an opportunity to be three in a row in the final of the FA Cup. Hopefully, we can do it”, he added.
Manchester City face Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the semifinal of this season’s FA Cup as they look to salvage a rather troubling campaign.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
