English champions Manchester City will visit Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium at 18.30 in the FA Cup quarterfinals. This is practically the only trophy they can win this season, which is quite modest considering the high expectations the Citizens have year after year.Bournemouth is no easy opponent, and City knows that well—back in the fall, they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the same venue. That was the second loss in a rough October-November stretch when their title-winning machine derailed, with five disappointing results. That difficult period, during which they won only two matches from late October to late December, is the main reason why City finds itself in this position now.A trip to the South Coast to take on the Cherries 🛣️🍒#ManCity | #FACup pic.twitter.com/7mhFOIE3zq— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 30, 2025 Many have questioned the cause of this unexpected dip in form, but Pep Guardiola is willing to take responsibility for everything that has happened. Ahead of the trip to Bournemouth, he gave an honest assessment of his managerial performance this season.”This season? Absolutely miserable. Opponents didn’t roll out the red carpet for us to win the titles we have in the past. My duty was to handle this situation much better than I did,” Guardiola stated.Injuries to key players and dips in individual form have played a role, but it’s also important to recognize that in sports, it’s impossible to win all the time—especially in highly competitive leagues like the Premier League and the Champions League. Guardiola says he wants to use this season’s struggles as a valuable learning experience to ensure that “mistakes are not repeated.”🔵 Pep Guardiola: “The season has been poor, it’s not going to change for the fact of winning one title. But of course, we want to do it”.“Qualify for the UCL it’s a big success, as I said. winning the FA Cup is also a huge success, but the season has not been good”. pic.twitter.com/PPNRUKetT8— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 30, 2025 “Of course, reaching the FA Cup final and winning it, along with securing Champions League qualification, would be great for us. I’m pretty sure that would be seen as a big success, but the season has been poor, and that impression cannot change. Our standards and many other aspects have not been good, that’s the reality. Winning one trophy won’t change that. Of course, we want the trophy, but based on how we have performed this season, it won’t make a difference—even if we win the FA Cup and qualify for the Champions League,” Guardiola added.Rodri, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and John Stones remain unavailable for Guardiola. Oscar Bobb is close to returning, while goalkeeper Ederson is unlikely to be fit in time for the match at Vitality.🚨 Pep Guardiola on getting a bonus if Man City win FIFA Club World Cup: “We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season. Not even a watch”.“If we go there and win, it’s for the club”. pic.twitter.com/6W1cw6XGDK— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 29, 2025 As for Bournemouth, Enes Unal and Luis Sinisterra are sidelined. Adam Smith is doubtful, while Marcos Senesi and Julian Araujo are nearing a return.Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is seen by many as a potential successor to Guardiola at City one day. This match could serve as an audition for the former Athletic Bilbao player, who remains confident ahead of the clash.Right then boss, what are we saying about the new Performance Centre? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/T1DwGwND0Y— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 28, 2025 “I think we can win a trophy. Maybe we’re not the favorites, especially not in this quarterfinal, but I believe we’ve shown that we are capable of lifting silverware. We’re three games away from it. With a good performance from our players, we can beat any team. I think we have a chance—maybe not as much as City or Aston Villa, but we have one,” Iraola stated.FA CUP – QUARTER-FINALSSaturday Fulham – Crystal Palace 0-3 (0-2)/Eze 34, Sarr 38, Nketiah 75/Brighton – Nott. Forest 0-0Nottingham win 4-3 after penalty shootoutSunday 15.30: (7.50) Preston (4.50) Aston Villa (1.43)18.30: (2.85) Bournemouth (3.90) Man.City (2.35)***odds are subject to change***
