The FA
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola brings his team back to Wembley for a third successive FA Cup Final
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking to make it a day to remember for Blues fans, as they head to Wembley for a third successive Emirates FA Cup Final outing.
After winning it in 2023 with victory over Manchester United, they then suffered defeat to the same opposition in last year’s Final.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
The Emirates FA Cup Final
4.30pm BST, Saturday 17 May 2025
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
And now the Sky Blues head back to the national stadium looking to add an eighth FA Cup title to their name, with Crystal Palace lying in wait this time around.
“I say it every time we are in this position, but I will say it again: it is such a privilege to be able to play in this incredible stadium and have a chance to win this beautiful trophy,” said Guardiola, ahead of his squad’s trip to north-west London.
“This is our third year in a row in the FA Cup Final, which is something we are very, very proud of. In the FA Cup, you play all the top teams from the Premier League and the Championship and always there are times when it is difficult.
“To have made three Finals in a row shows how consistent we have been. It says everything about this generation of players and the club itself.
“The FA Cup is the most challenging and beautiful domestic cup competition in the world, there is no doubt about that.”
City are under no illusions of the challenge ahead of them on Saturday, and with the FA Cup being the only competition left for them to win this term, Guardiola will have his team fully prepared to make the most of the opportunity.
“We’re excited to play this game and we will do everything we can to try and bring the trophy back home with us to Manchester,” he added.
“To be playing against Crystal Palace is a huge challenge, everyone can see how good they are.
“I thought they were exceptional in the semi-finals – to beat Aston Villa 3-0 was an incredible result. We respect them, we know the difficulties we will face, and we have to be ready.
“Always since I arrived in England, Palace have been difficult opponents. Under Oliver [Glasner], they have different qualities but they remain one of the toughest teams we can face.
“But for me, as a manager, these are the kinds of challenges I love.”
You can read Guardiola’s full thoughts on the Final in the official matchday programme, which you can order online here.