Pep Guardiola has set his sights on a successful end to the season. The manager is heading to Wembley with Manchester City for the FA Cup final, but the initial focus is on securing a Champions League spot.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to visit the Etihad Stadium this Friday night for a highly anticipated Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
With the season reaching its decisive stages, every point is vital for City in their pursuit of silverware, and this fixture has all the ingredients to be a critical moment in their campaign. Despite not being title contenders, Wolves arrive in Manchester in impressive form, and Pep Guardiola knows that any complacency could come at a cost.
Under the guidance of Vítor Pereira, who was recently nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month alongside Guardiola and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, Wolverhampton have emerged as one of the most in-form sides in the league. In April, they managed to win all their domestic league matches, collecting a perfect run of results that has lifted them comfortably away from the relegation zone and into mid-table security. That strong run has not gone unnoticed, and Guardiola has been quick to acknowledge the threat they pose.
Asked earlier this week whether he would prefer to secure FA Cup glory or clinch a Champions League place, Guardiola gave a surprising but telling answer: “Wolves.” His message was clear no distractions, no long-term vision clouding short-term focus. Every game must be treated like a final, and the immediate priority is overcoming Wolves.
“Simple, that’s what we want,” Guardiola elaborated. “Wolves. That’s the focus. Not the cup final, not Europe, not what comes next. My job is to prepare the team for what’s right in front of us. And right now, that’s a very strong Wolves team.”
The Spanish manager emphasized the importance of treating Wolves with the utmost respect, despite the difference in squad depth and expectations between the two clubs. “My only concern is Wolves. I need to pick the best players for that match. They’re safe now, which gives them peace of mind and freedom to play. A month ago, when they were still under pressure, I might have preferred to face them. But now, they have nothing to lose and that’s dangerous.”
Manchester City are still competing on multiple fronts. Having already reached the FA Cup final set to take place at Wembley they also remain locked in a tense battle for top positions in the Premier League. Injuries, as always, play a crucial role in this period, and Guardiola confirmed that key players Erling Haaland and Rodri are still working on their recovery, though progress is being made.
“We’re very happy that they’ve resumed training,” Guardiola said. “They’re getting better and better. As soon as the physios give the green light, I’ll give them some minutes. But it’s up to the doctors. They’ve had annoying injuries, and we’re not going to take unnecessary risks.”
The absence of both players has been deeply felt. Haaland, with his lethal goal-scoring instincts, and Rodri, the midfield anchor and Ballon d’Or winner, are central to City’s tactical system. Without them, City have had to adapt, leaning more heavily on players like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Mateo Kovačić to carry the weight.
“Rodri has been out of action for nearly a year,” Guardiola reminded reporters. “We’re not talking about a short setback it’s been a long, frustrating period for him. But he’s a professional, he’s stayed focused, and now he’s finally on the road to recovery. That’s a massive boost for us.”
Guardiola also hinted that the return of both players might align with the club’s preparations for the FA Cup final, but warned against expecting immediate returns to form. “They need time. Just because they’re back training doesn’t mean they’re ready to play ninety minutes. We’ll manage their minutes, but hopefully they can be involved in the build-up to Wembley.”
Meanwhile, Wolves will arrive in Manchester with nothing to fear and everything to gain. While their Premier League status is no longer under threat, a strong finish could help them climb further up the table and a victory at the Etihad would be a major statement. Led by captain Max Kilman and playmaker Matheus Cunha, Wolves have developed a solid, disciplined identity that can frustrate even the best teams.
For City, the stakes are high. They cannot afford to drop points if they want to maintain their position in the top four or keep pressure on any remaining title ambitions. Friday night’s clash promises to be a test of focus, resilience, and tactical discipline.
Guardiola knows that the road to Wembley and Champions League qualification will be shaped by what happens in the Premier League starting with this match. And while fans might be looking ahead to the glamour of cup finals or the drama of European nights, the City manager has his priorities set: Wolves first, everything else later.
Updated: 03:35, 1 May 2025
