Southampton must face the Premier League leaders for the second time in less than a month in the FA Cup. The Saints produced a miraculous performance to overcome Arsenal in the last round. Their reward is a tie against City, who recently leapfrogged Arsenal in the top flight table.
Southampton’s sizzling form
Despite their second division status, Southampton will not be an easy opponent for Guardiola’s side, as they demonstrated with their quarter-final victory over Arsenal. Under German manager Tonda Eckert, the Saints are currently unbeaten across their last 20 matches in all competitions.
“They were able to knock out Fulham and Arsenal,” said Guardiola about his upcoming opponents who have not lost since January. “So that speaks for itself.”
Southampton’s sole FA Cup triumph
Despite their 140-year history, during which they have spent a long time competing at the top level, Southampton have just one major honor to their name: the 1976 FA Cup. The Saints lifted the trophy after a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the final and have dreamt of replicating that success in every season since.
In 1976, and as they are now, Southampton were a second division side that punched well above their weight in the FA Cup. They will arrive at Wembley fearless and full of belief. Interestingly, the League Cup winners that year were City, the same as this year.
Last final for the Saints
The Saints have reached the semi-finals on a couple of occasions in recent memory. They were defeated at this stage of the competition by both Chelsea in 2018 and Leicester City in 2021. However, it has been a while longer since they made it all the way to the final.
Southampton’s last FA Cup Final appearance came back in 2003. On that occasion, a goal from Robert Pires was enough to see Arsenal lift the trophy after a 1-0 win. The Saints’ last final before that, was their triumph of 1976. FA Cup finals have been few and far between for Southampton and they have the chance to reach their first one in more than 20 years this Saturday.
City’s Cup Consistency
City, conversely, have been ruthlessly consistent under Guardiola in the FA Cup. The Blues have reached the semi-finals for an eighth season in a row, a quite remarkable feat.
Guardiola’s side will have the opportunity to be the first team to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals across the entire grand history of the 155-year-old competition. It would be yet another record claimed by the Catalan across his ten years in English football.
Unfinished Business
City’s motivation will surely be greater than just that of breaking a record. As mentioned, the Blues have reached the last three FA Cup finals, however they have won just one of those, coming up short in both of the last two seasons.
For a team that has grown so accustomed to winning, this surely must burn. One would expect that there is a sense of unfinished business amongst a squad that is not used to falling short.
Treble-chasers
Further incentive, if required, for Guardiola’s side will come in the form of a potential treble that could soon be in their grasp. The Blues are currently on track to repeating their domestic treble success of 2019.
Having already won the Carabao Cup, now overtaking Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and with the chance to reach the FA Cup final, by next month City could be the proud holders of every major trophy available in England.
This will serve as sufficient motivation to a City side that should prove to be far superior to their second-tier opposition.
