Guardiola insists Premier League more important than FA Cup | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City’s performance in the Premier League is ‘more important’ than winning the FA Cup.

Guardiola’s side take on Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday, as the Citizens look to salvage a challenging campaign with silverware. City are 18 points adrift of Liverpool in the Premier League with the club’s four-year stranglehold on the division ended this season.

City remain in a tight battle for Champions League qualification and Guardiola has insisted that the club’s league performance must be the priority. However, the Spaniard admitted that winning the FA Cup would make the campaign ‘less damaging’ after a decline this season.

“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 at his pre-match press conference.

“From my point of view, the biggest thing in the season is the Premier League.

“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.”

Guardiola lavished praise on Nottingham Forest ahead of the tie, who have been the surprise package of the campaign. Forest are fourth in the Premier League table and targeting a first FA Cup final appearance since 1991.

“He (Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo) has been incredible, qualifying for Europa League with Wolves and now with Nottingham Forest. He has done a really good job.

“The guys have good skills, and I admire that they defend well and have a good spirit. They have the transition with top, top players up front. The owner invests with top, top players. The results are here.”

Read – Key talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

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