Pep Guardiola has explained the unusual reason he “loves” the FA Cup as Manchester City prepare to face Salford City.
City will meet the League Two side in the third round, and Guardiola admitted the competition always brings moments he does not get elsewhere in the season. The City boss said he enjoys how the FA Cup takes him to unfamiliar grounds and puts him up against teams he rarely watches, joking that it can leave him asking: “Who are ya?! Who are ya?!”
Guardiola also pointed to the spirit of the tournament, with lower-league clubs getting the chance to test themselves against top-flight opposition. He underlined that City have to take the tie seriously, no matter the gap in levels, because the FA Cup has a habit of producing surprises.
The Salford meeting gives Guardiola and his players another change of pace in a packed calendar, with City aiming to progress and keep their domestic cup ambitions on track. Guardiola’s comments made clear he welcomes the challenge, even if it comes with the added task of learning about opponents he does not routinely face.
