Striker Erling Haaland has described Manchester City’s season as “horrific” and “boring” but hopes it can end with another trophy.
For many clubs, reaching the FA Cup final and being on the brink of Champions League qualification would be a successful campaign. Not for Manchester City.
Haaland, 24, had been in a race to be fit for Saturday’s final against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday – after missing seven games with an ankle injury – but started City’s goalless draw with Southampton.
“This season has been tough,” he told BBC Sport. “It is not nice to lose so many games. It is boring and not fun. That’s why we need to finish well and get a trophy.
“It is a good habit to reach Wembley and always important to win trophies. We have the FA Cup final to play for and in a horrific season we still managed to do this.”
Pep Guardiola’s side, who are 18 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool, had been English champions in each of the past four seasons and conquered Europe in 2023.
They are fourth in the Premier League, their Champions League hopes were ended by Real Madrid in the knockout play-offs and they lost to Tottenham in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
“When you have won four league titles in a row, if you don’t win five it’s not going to be a successful season,” said Haaland.
“Those are the standards we have set. We haven’t done good enough in the league but still hoping for Champions League qualification.
“Crystal Palace are a really difficult club to play against. At Selhurst Park we drew (2-2 in December) and they started really well at the Etihad (in City’s 5-2 win last month).
“They are an amazing team with quality players.”