Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told his players to look inward and elevate their performances, insisting that relying on officials is like trusting “a flip of a coin.” With Arsenal’s controversial win over West Ham on Sunday moving them five points clear at the top, City face a must-win clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday knowing any slip could end their title defense.
Guardiola’s frustration with officiating boiled over as he cited the last two FA Cup finals, both of which City lost, as proof that referees and VAR have failed them. He claimed bluntly: “We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR.”
The 2024 showpiece against Manchester United saw Erling Haaland twice denied clear penalties – first when he was pushed by Lisandro Martínez inside the area, and then when he was fouled by Kobbie Mainoo. Neither decision was given on the pitch, and VAR did not intervene. City went down 2-1, missing the chance to lift the trophy.
A year later, in the 2025 final against Crystal Palace at Wembley, another contentious call went against them. Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson handled the ball outside his area but was only shown a yellow card; the officials judged he had not denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. City again fell to defeat, leaving Guardiola to rue the consistency of decisions that he feels cost silverware.
The manager’s broader message is that City cannot control the arbitrary nature of officiating. “Always I learned you have do it better – be in a position to do it better because [if not] you blame yourself with what you have to do, because [VAR] is a flip of a coin,” he said. This philosophy underpins his demand for the squad to take charge of their own destiny.
That philosophy is now being tested as City chase Arsenal in the Premier League. With three games remaining, they must win all three and hope the Gunners drop points. Guardiola acknowledged the pressure: “We play in this game, we go to Bournemouth and the last game in Aston Villa. The important one is tomorrow and we will see what happens.”
Injuries add to the challenge. Abdukodir Khusanov is a doubt, while Rodri’s groin problem, sustained in the victory over Arsenal last month, has him questionable for the Palace game. Guardiola was pressed on whether the injury could rule Rodri out of next month’s World Cup. He replied, “No. Well, there is a chance if [Luis] de la Fuente doesn’t pick him. But, we’ll take care of him.”
The uncertainty over Rodri is a significant subplot, given his importance to both club and country. For City, missing their midfield anchor reduces their control in games, something Guardiola prizes above all else. Without Rodri, the burden falls on others like Mateo Kovacic or Bernardo Silva to fill the void.
Against Palace, a side that has troubled City in the past – not just in the FA Cup final but also in league meetings – the need for full concentration is paramount. Guardiola stressed that any lapse in focus could be fatal: “I always learned that when you lose focus, you are in a dangerous situation.”
The psychological battle is as crucial as the physical one. Guardiola’s repeated calls to “do better” indicate a manager trying to shield his players from external variables and instill a winning mindset irrespective of circumstances. His track record shows it often works, but this season’s fine margins might require more than just inner belief.
The title race narrative now hinges on this midweek fixture. If City fail to beat Palace, Arsenal could effectively seal the championship. Guardiola’s words are a rallying cry, an acknowledgment that while luck may not always be on their side, sheer performance can tip the scales.
As City prepare for the run-in, the echoes of those FA Cup frustrations linger. But Guardiola insists the only path forward is through improvement. Based on reporting from The Guardian.
