Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City are better than FA Cup final opponents Manchester United, but insists his side's dominance is not boring.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Coach says his side superior to ragged Red DevilsBut he believes game will be competitiveCity will make more history if they win finalWHAT HAPPENED?
Champions City finished the Premier League season with 31 points more than their local rivals while scoring 39 more goals. They are also unbeaten in any competition since December. Guardiola said they are well used to being the better fancied side.
AdvertisementWHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
"We are used to it. We start the season and in September, October they say we'll win the Champions League and be 25 points in front in the Premier League. Every year. We say okay," Guardiola told a press conference. "They say it's boring. When you win and are one or two points in front it's not boring – 20-30 points in front is boring. People think: What will happen if you are 31 points in front of United? It's a different competition, one game. You can lose a game. We know we can lose a game. In long periods we are better than United, that's obvious, facts. The players know it, feel it. We are ready to play the last game of the season. The FA Cup deserves all our focus."
(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Guardiola is targetting an 18th trophy with City and will be playing in his ninth major final with the club, but he insisted he still appreciates these occasions.
"I always have the feeling, when people think differently. Playing the FA Cup final is an exception," he said. "I had the feeling at Spurs away, had to win against Newcastle at home, Fulham, Luton. To arrive here is difficult. I don't take it for granted. I never have the feeling it doesn't matter."
DID YOU KNOW?
Saturday will be the first time since 1885 that the same teams will meet in the FA Cup final in consecutive years. Ilkay Gundogan scored the fastest goal in final history when he opened the scoring after 12 seconds and also scored the winner in a 2-1 victory against United at Wembley last year.