Manchester City is set to face Crystal Palace in their third consecutive FA Cup final. The team’s coach, Pep Guardiola, is upbeat about the challenge ahead, praising Crystal Palace’s quality and defensive structure. He noted their impressive second-half performance and highlighted the threat posed by players like Mateta, Eze, and Sarr.
Key Players and Tactics
Guardiola acknowledged Crystal Palace’s strengths, particularly their defensive organization and set pieces, which he believes are among the best in the Premier League. This suggests that Manchester City will need to be strategic in their approach to break down Crystal Palace’s defense.
The return of Rodri, who has been sidelined since September with an injury, is imminent. Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is making good progress and is expected to be back on the field soon. The coach emphasized that the decision on Rodri’s return will be based on medical advice to avoid rushing him back and risking further injury.
Transfer Rumors
When asked about rumors linking Florian Wirtz to Manchester City, Guardiola refused to comment, saying it’s not the right time to discuss the future. He emphasized that he has a talented squad of 24 players and will focus on the present rather than speculating about potential transfers.