From Champions to Uncertainty
One year ago, Manchester City lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United. What seemed like a tactical hiccup then now looks like the starting point of a deeper unraveling. Pep Guardiola’s side returns to Wembley — not just in search of a trophy, but a lifeline.
“We haven’t been good enough,” admitted Erling Haaland. “And I haven’t helped the team enough.”
The Roots of Collapse
Injuries, fatigue, and fading sharpness have marred City’s 2024-25 campaign. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has missed seven months. Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Rúben Dias, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland — all sidelined at various points. Guardiola confessed to overestimating the physical limits of his long-serving stars.
Meanwhile, the club failed to replace Julián Álvarez after his move to Atlético Madrid. And even Phil Foden, once untouchable, returned from the Euros physically and mentally drained.
“Goals and assists have dropped across the board,” said Guardiola. “It’s not one, it’s all of them.”
Former captain Ilkay Gündogan diagnosed a deeper issue:
“We gave too much importance to tactics, and not enough to behavior — the desire, the fight.”
Tactical Shift, Mental Reset
After months of frustration, Guardiola returned to basics. A new midfield box system brought structure. More importantly, it brought back urgency.
Young players like Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee were promoted. City went 10 games unbeaten. The grit returned.
“Since March, I’ve seen an improvement,” Gündogan noted. “The mentality — it’s come back.”
Crystal Palace: No Easy Task
Saturday’s FA Cup final opponent is not to be underestimated. Palace have already taken points off City and beaten Spurs. Under Oliver Glasner, they’ve turned into a disciplined, dangerous counter-attacking unit.
Eberechi Eze — a long-admired target for Guardiola — has 8 goals in his last 11 matches and could be the wild card at Wembley.
More Than a Trophy
For Guardiola, this isn’t just another final. It’s a reckoning. A chance to close the book on a season of regret and begin rebuilding a team that’s shown cracks for the first time in years.
A win won’t erase the Champions League disappointment. It won’t rewrite the title race. But it could be the first step in restoring identity and direction.
For Manchester City, a club that sets the standard, the road back starts now — and it runs through Wembley.
