Pep Guardiola thrilled with 'unbelievable' achievement after Manchester City's seventh successive FA Cup semi appearance
Updated 30/03/2025 at 21:56 GMT+1
Pep Guardiola spoke glowingly about the achievement of reaching a seventh consecutive semi-final and described his players as "legendary" for achieving the feat. However, he stressed that nothing Manchester City do between now and the end of the season will change his view that it has been a disappointing season by their own standards. City are back in action on Wednesday against Leicester City.
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Pep Guardiola was delighted with his side’s display after Manchester City progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals for a seventh consecutive season, and reflected on an "unbelievable" achievement.
Evanilson put Bournemouth in front, before City responded with strikes from Erling Haaland - who missed an early penalty - and Omar Marmoush to tee up a last-four clash with Nottingham Forest.
The game was also notable for the contribution of Nico O'Reilly, who claimed two assists at the Vitality Stadium.
Guardiola told BBC Sport: "It was more hard for them [Bournemouth]. We played an outstanding game and had incredible chances, missed a penalty.
"We conceded with one chance we gave away. Our approach was magnificent. Seven times in a row semi-final in the FA Cup, no team has done it, and it will be difficult for any other to do what these legendary players, the new ones and the old ones, will have done."
This win sealed City's place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the 20th time in the club's history, with eight of those coming during Guardiola's tenure.
When reflecting on the achievement of reaching seven semi-finals in a row, he added: "It is unbelievable. The way we competed today compared to the way we played in the first game here [in the Premier League].
"I was not good enough to overcome that situation then. We were sloppy for many games. Brighton was a difficult game, we didn't play our best but we fought. This is what had to happen.
"We won one title already. We won the Community Shield, we won it. This season has been poor, nothing is going to change. It has not been good, that is not going to change. Last year we played in a final and could not win it. We have an incredible target to qualify for the Champions League next season and that is what we are going to try to do."
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The big blemish on an otherwise fine afternoon's work was the injury suffered by Haaland, as the Norwegian was forced off with a knee issue.
Guardiola could not give any further details on the frontman, as City prepare for a Premier League clash against Leicester City on Wednesday.
"I saw him on the massage table, but I didn't speak with him or the doctors, so I don't know," Guardiola said.
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