Pep Guardiola acknowledged that winning the FA Cup would still hold great importance for Manchester City, even though a victory on Saturday would not fully erase the disappointment of a season that fell short of their usual standards.

City were dethroned as Premier League champions by Liverpool for the first time in five years and risk ending the season without a trophy—their first trophyless campaign since Guardiola’s inaugural 2016/17 season—if they fail to overcome Crystal Palace in the upcoming Wembley final.

With just two league matches left, City also face the challenge of securing a top-five finish to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite these challenges, Guardiola emphasized on Friday that the club’s complete focus remains on winning a trophy in their third straight FA Cup final appearance.

“That is the problem, right? The FA Cup now is not the first choice (trophy).

“Once we are here of course we want the trophy.

“It is massively important.

“But to win the trophy you have to be there. And to have to be there, you have to win previous games. And we have done it for many, many years in the last years,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.

Erling Haaland is set to start after returning from a six-week injury layoff in last weekend’s frustrating goalless draw against already-relegated Southampton.

Guardiola also mentioned that he isn’t considering limiting Kevin De Bruyne’s playing time, as he aims to have the star midfielder involved in his final home game for the club on Tuesday against Bournemouth.

However, the City manager is cautious about rushing back Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is nearing a comeback following a cruciate ligament injury sustained in September.

“He is much, much better,” said Guardiola of Rodri. “I am waiting for the doctors. When they tell me when he is ready, he is going to start.

“We don’t want to take a risk and take a step back.”