Manchester // Tears streamed down Pep Guardiola’s face as he hugged his players. He had won the German Cup for the second time. It brought a sense of symmetry, given his two Copa del Rey triumphs as a Barcelona player and a further pair as manager, and satisfaction.
Douglas Costa’s penalty in the shoot-out against Borussia Dortmund in May meant they were tears of joy. His final game as Bayern Munich manager ended on a happy note.
Guardiola may be defined by Uefa Champions League triumphs, distinguished by a remarkable record of winning domestic leagues — six in seven previous seasons of top-flight management — but his relentless determination to succeed is apparent in other tournaments.
While managers far more accustomed to the FA Cup, some reared in its traditions, are accused of showing the world’s oldest cup competition a lack of respect, no such charge can be levelled at the Catalan.
A newcomer has named arguably the strongest sides in both rounds to date. Manchester City have been rewarded with 5-0 and 3-0 away wins at West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
“The FA Cup is complicated, but we are always fighting,” Guardiola said.
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A policy of prioritising may be prompted by pragmatism.
City resume their quest to secure the Champions League against Monaco on Tuesday and are up to second in the Premier League. But the FA Cup presents the most realistic chance of silverware and, in the process, of extending Guardiola’s personal record.
He has never finished a campaign without a trophy. A man who tends to downplay the individual implications of everything nonetheless has reasons to aim for Wembley Stadium. City’s first trophy in 35 years came in the 2011 FA Cup final, which eased the path to further success.
This represents Guardiola’s first experience of the obstacle course the competition presents. He has not faced lower-league opposition in England until now. He has been studying an in-form Huddersfield Town side who have reeled off six straight wins.
“Huddersfield have momentum and are playing with a lot of confidence,” Guardiola said. “I saw the game against Leeds. They are really good.”
Huddersfield have not reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since 1971/72, also the last season they played top-flight football. It highlights conflicting priorities as they prepare to face first City and then promotion rivals Reading in the space of four days.
Huddersfield manager David Wagner has to balance different objectives. He is without the ineligible midfielder Aaron Mooy, who is on loan from City and who, Guardiola suggested, could play a part in his squad next season.
“Aaron is playing amazing,” he said. “We are going to consider what will happen.”
City will be without Gabriel Jesus, with Guardiola unsure yet if the Brazilian’s metatarsal injury will keep him out for the rest of the season. “His operation was really good and it is important he has a good recovery,” said the Catalan, who is set to restore Sergio Aguero to the starting XI.
“Sergio was more than professional. I don’t have doubts about him.”
Guardiola will make some changes, with Vincent Kompany perhaps granted just a second start since November, but, if the recent past is a guide, not too many. Taking the FA Cup seriously could reap a reward.
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