Liverpool’s relentless march to a twentieth league title pushed Manchester City out of the championship conversation and left Pep Guardiola facing the most searching questions of his Etihad tenure. Cup success alone, he warned, cannot erase missed targets elsewhere.
Speaking after the two nil semi final win over Nottingham Forest, Guardiola insisted that lifting the trophy would not constitute salvation for a campaign defined by inconsistency and an early European exit. He labelled the overall performance simply not good.
The Catalan pointed to sloppiness in domestic matches against mid table rivals and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, areas he believes must improve before next August. Training sessions have already been adjusted to emphasise faster transitions.
Behind the scenes analysts have logged defensive improvements since a switch to a narrow box midfield that pushes Rico Lewis higher and gives Kovacic licence to dictate rhythm. Guardiola wants those tweaks to stick beyond one knockout tournament.
He has challenged senior players to mentor emerging talents such as Lewis and Matheus Nunes, arguing that collective standards rather than new signings will re establish domestic dominance. He praised their attitude against Forest as the blueprint.
Whether or not City overturn Palace at Wembley, Guardiola maintains that reclaiming the Premier League crown and competing deep in Europe next year remain the ultimate yardsticks. The final therefore represents both an opportunity and a stern test of resolve.
