‘We travel to London to win the title’ – Pep Guardiola ahead of FA Cup final | OneFootball

Man City boss Pep Guardiola says it is vital his side win the FA Cup after a “disappointing season”.

After a sub-par campaign in which Guardiola’s side have underperformed compared to their expectations, they do still have the opportunity to win football’s oldest official competition, taking on Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.

“Of course we want it,” Guardiola said. “We want to lift the trophy. It’s important after a disappointing season. If we perform well we’re going to compete. To win the trophy you have to be there and to be there you have to win games. We’ve done it for many years.

“It’s a final of the FA Cup, an honour and a privilege. We travel to London to win the title.”

Manchester City have faced off against local rivals Manchester United in both of the last two instalments of the FA Cup final, losing out last season.

About their different opponents this time around, Guardiola said: “It’s a fantastic team. More than a year with Oliver [Glasner] working with the same players.”

Crystal Palace have never won the FA Cup, but appeared in the final in 1990 and 2016, losing both against current holders Manchester United.

And Guardiola is aware of the threat the Eagles possess: “They have quality. Mateta is strong, and I would say their quality is obvious.

“The pace from Sarr, he has incredible pace. Same from Munoz and Wharton is a very good holding midfielder. A very structured defence. It’s a final. We can not expect differently.”

Guardiola has also not ruled out Rodri returning this season, having missed almost the entirety of the campaign with an ACL injury.

“He’s much better,” he said. “I’m waiting on the doctors, when they tell me he’s ready, he’ll start.”