Manchester City are looking to make English football history when they lock horns with Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Citizens travel to the capital in buoyant mood as they have put together a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions, winning five and drawing two.
Pep Guardiola's side have won each of their last three matches in the Premier League, including an important 2-1 last-gasp victory at home to top-five rivals Aston Villa to boost their hopes of securing Champions League football for next season.
Man City have now turned their attention to the FA Cup and a record seventh consecutive appearance in the semi-finals, having beaten Salford City (8-0), Leyton Orient (2-1), Plymouth Argyle (3-1) and Bournemouth (2-1) in the previous four rounds of this season's competition.
The eight-time FA Cup winners have won three and lost three of their previous six semi-final appearances, winning both of their last two against Sheffield United and Chelsea.
If they beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Man City will reach a third consecutive FA Cup final and will become the first team in English football history to reach the final of both major domestic cup competitions three seasons running - City reached the EFL Cup final in four successive seasons between 2017-18 and 2020-21.
© Imago
Guardiola focused on reaching FA Cup final
Guardiola, a two-time FA Cup winner in 2019 and 2023, has reiterated how much the FA Cup means to him ahead of Sunday's showdown with Nottingham Forest.
"For me, yeah [I still get the same buzz being there]. Especially with the season we've had," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Friday. "We have the position in our hands and have an incredible opportunity to be three in a row in the FA Cup final.
"Then we have a few days to play Wolves, they come in the best moment of the season. Then after we have long weeks, it depends on the final or not to prepare the last three or four games. We have to get to the final first. I have too much respect.
"I said many times, the season has not been good regardless of a final or we go to the Champions League, but we avoid bigger damage for the club.
"From my point of view with dictating if the season is good is the Premier League all the time. It gives you week by week happiness then after the FA Cup and Champions League.
"The Premier League defines how good you are. It's not been good, but it could be worse, we could be worse than third, fourth or fifth.
"After we have long weeks, it depends on the final or not to prepare the last three or four games. Hopefully we can do it."
© Imago
Gundogan claims confidence is key for "special occasion" at Wembley
Ilkay Gundogan scored two goals as captain when Man City beat rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the first all-Manchester FA Cup final two seasons ago, and the experienced midfielder believes that taking a positive approach is key if the Citizens wish to lift the trophy once again this term.
"We have to be confident," said Gundogan. "When we play with confidence we play automatically better. Our game requires confidence because we want to play brave, possession-based football.
"We need that because we have been playing many games where we lacked a little bit of confidence and haven't dealt well with it. We have to do that, stay true to ourselves and know what we are playing for. Then, I am confident that we can reach the final."
"It feels amazing," he added. "Wembley is always a special occasion and in recent years we have been quite successful going to Wembley.
"Being there again and having the possibility of being in the FA Cup final and to go back to Wembley again, it feels great.
"Obviously for us it is the last chance for silverware this season, so we are really looking forward and excited to play a tough game, but a game that we want to be ready for and proceed to the final."
If Man City are to come out on top against Nottingham Forest, they may have to rely on the brilliance of club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who boasts an impressive FA Cup record.
Oliver Thomas
