Manchester City are gearing up for a FA Cup final clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with striker Erling Haaland demanding a strong finish to the season.
The Citizens, who have dominated English football with four straight Premier League titles, find themselves in an unfamiliar fourth place, 18 points behind champions Liverpool with just two league games left.
Despite their struggles, City have a chance to end the campaign on a high at Wembley. Haaland, who recently returned from an ankle injury that sidelined him for seven matches, insisted the team must seize this opportunity.
“This season has been tough,” he told BBC Sport. “Losing so many games isn’t fun—it’s boring. We need to finish well and win a trophy. Reaching Wembley is a good habit, and it’s always important to win silverware.”
City’s dip in form has been stark. After setting sky-high standards, they have failed to maintain their usual dominance. Haaland, who has scored 84 goals in 94 Premier League games, was blunt about the team’s shortcomings. “When you’ve won four titles in a row, not winning a fifth feels like failure,” he said.
“We haven’t been good enough in the league, but we’re still fighting for Champions League qualification. Every single one of us hasn’t been at our best. We haven’t won enough big games or consecutive matches. It’s as simple as that.”
Injuries have played a part, with key players like Haaland, Rodri, and Ederson missing time. However, the Norwegian dismissed any excuses. “We’ve had injuries, but we shouldn’t look for reasons,” he said. “We haven’t been stable enough, and we need to perform better in the big moments.”
The FA Cup final also carries emotional weight, as it marks one of the final appearances for Kevin De Bruyne, who will leave City as a free agent this summer. The Belgian midfielder, with 119 Premier League assists and 18 major trophies, has been a cornerstone of City’s success.
Haaland expressed his admiration and determination to send De Bruyne out on a high. “We’d love for Kevin to finish with a trophy,” he said. “He’s been incredible at City, ridiculous how many trophies he’s won. Playing with him has been a dream. His passes are perfect for my runs. I’ll do everything to make sure we win this for him.”
City face a formidable Crystal Palace side, who have troubled them this season. Palace scored twice in a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park in December and took a 2-0 lead in City’s 5-2 comeback win at the Etihad last month. “Palace are a really tough team,” Haaland warned. “They’re an amazing side with quality players and can start games strongly.”
Pep Guardiola, who bolstered the squad with five January signings to secure Champions League qualification, remains optimistic about his team’s recovery. In a recent update, he confirmed Haaland and Rodri are back in training, though their minutes will depend on medical clearance. “We’re really pleased Erling and Rodri are back,” Guardiola said. “The doctors will decide when they can play. These are difficult injuries.”
As City prepare for Wembley, the spotlight is on Haaland and his teammates to deliver. With De Bruyne’s departure looming and Champions League hopes still alive, the FA Cup final offers a chance to salvage pride and add to City’s trophy cabinet.
For Haaland, it’s about action, not excuses. “We have to perform,” he said. “This is our chance to show what we’re capable of.”
