Guardiola labels Kovacic ‘extraordinary’ after City reach third successive FA Cup final

Pep Guardiola praised Matteo Kovacic that he was “unusual” after Manchester City arrived in the FA Cup final by defeating Nutingham Forest.

City advanced to the FA Cup final in a row thanks to the goals of Rico Lewis and Jusko Gavardol, the first that Kovacic set in the second minute.

The Croatian was at the forefront in Wembley, where Forest hit the wooden works three times in the second half when he sought to return to the competition.

Despite the misfortune of Forest, City was winning winners because they maintained their hopes to save the silver tools from a disappointing season.

Guardiola explained a point of praise for the former midfielder for Real Madrid and Chelsea Kovacic after they booked a meeting with Crystal Palace on May 17.

“Kovacic is unusual. It was the last three or four amazing games,” Guardiola told ITV Sport.

“In his time, he cannot play every three days, but we are lucky because we have time to recover. We need it for the quality and the bond he has.”

Guardiola uses the same characteristic to describe Lewis, which broke the stalemate with the first shot of the match.

“I am smart, but not enough to see that [Lewis scoring]”Guardiola added.” Put it in unusual pockets.

Pep 💬 Seven semi -semi -final, three finals talk about this generation of players and this club in itself. We are really happy because we are there. pic.twitter.com/omnykadhzx

Manchester City (Mancity) April 27, 2025

“It was a good start. [Chris] Wood and so on.

“In the match, they had opportunities, as this team would be on hand better than us in the Premier League.

“They created a little more than they were in the game we played there a month or two before [in the Premier League]. They are a great team. In general, I loved most of the things we did.

“Seven finals, respectively, and three finals in a row … is not bad!”

Mortan Gibbs-Wite hit the crossbar and the interior for the forest, while Tayo Aoni also struck the position.

Guardiola said of City’s wealth in the second half: “A few months ago, the ball enters into the post.” “One side or the other side goes. Everything is in the head, in the minds of the players.”

City must now re -focus on their fight for football in the Champions League next season. Guardiola’s men are fourth, a point away against Forest in sixth place after they played a more match, with five Champions League teams this season.

Guardiola said: “If you say three years ago, you will reach three finals in the FA Cup, respectively, come. It is amazing,” Guardiola said.

“Now we have four finals, we go in the Premier League, and we have to recover and go again against the wolves [on Friday]”