Pep Guardiola was exasperated by the idea that his players might need to be given extra motivation for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Southampton. With Manchester City leading the Premier League by just a single point from Liverpool, who they play in three weeks, and facing Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, it seems the Blues have bigger fish to fry than the domestic knockout competition.
But Guardiola has a good record of fielding strong teams in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, which explains why they have won the latter four times in the last six years and have a good record of reaching the latter stages of the other, winning it in 2019. Guardiola reacted with tongue firmly in cheek to the opening question of today’s press conference, which was called to preview the game against Saints on Sunday but which inevitably saw him fielding more questions about the title race and the draw against Atletico.
“I understand completely (but) the FA Cup will be so sad, the oldest competition,” he said. And when he was later asked whether, with bigger prizes still up for grabs, he might need to chivvy his players to get them up for Sunday’s game, he responded with incredulity.
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“We have showed in six years, that we play (every game) like it’s the last game. We respect a lot. (If we win we) go to Wembley for the semi-finals. We know how difficult it will be but I trust my players.
“I know what it’s like, the manager trusts a lot to try to be who we are, like we did against Southampton and Palace, we try to do it and I would not change one single player to do things differently. We are going to try.”
Liverpool have already gobbled up the Carabao Cup, ending City’s run of four straight triumphs in that competition, and with the Blues just three wins away from taking the FA Cup it remains their easiest route to a trophy this season.
But Guardiola pointed out that City still have an advantage in the Premier League, sitting a point ahead of second-placed Liverpool, even if there are nine games left: “The Premier League we are leading, right now. Destiny in our hands.
“They are closer for the games, I don’t count competitions, I know how difficult Southampton will be. We have to compete well.”
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