CUP FIANL
All roads lead to Wembley this Saturday as Crystal Palace gear up to challenge Manchester City in the FA Cup final. While Pep Guardiola’s side are out to rescue silverware from a mixed campaign, the Eagles are chasing history.
We’ll now break the match into five major narratives that could shape the outcome of this season’s showpiece clash.
Glasner’s Tactical Chess Match with Guardiola
When Crystal Palace were handed a 5-2 defeat at the Etihad not long ago, few would’ve expected manager Oliver Glasner to speak with such confidence. Yet, after the game, he hinted he’d cracked Guardiola’s system — stating that if they met again, he’d know how to solve it.
Interestingly, Palace led 2-0 early in that match, and a third goal was chalked off for a tight offside. City stormed back, but for a good 30 minutes, they were on the ropes.
Palace’s back five allowed their wing-backs to operate high and wide, giving them plenty of width and quick transitions. That structure caused City problems — and Glasner believes it’s repeatable.
But will Guardiola dare to give Glasner the same setup again, knowing the Palace boss is preparing for it? Or will he flip the script and change his formation to throw Palace off balance?
Wings of War: Can Palace’s Wide Men Be Game-Changers?
The duel down the flanks will be fierce. Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell have been relentless for Palace all season, bombing forward and contributing on both ends of the pitch.
Muñoz, in particular, has been a revelation — covering more distance than any Premier League defender (367.2km) and leading all defenders in sprints (850). He also ranks highest in chance creation among Palace players in open play.
The Eagles’ five-at-the-back system has thrived largely due to these wing-backs, who have not only created 96 chances between them but also lead the team in defensive pressures in advanced zones.
City, meanwhile, have used both Joško Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly at left-back. O’Reilly’s youth and inexperience could make him a target, especially if Muñoz keeps up his aggressive forward runs.
Palace’s Press: Can the Underdogs Disrupt City’s Rhythm?
City are masters of possession, leading the league with a 61.6% average. Palace, by contrast, are used to chasing the ball — but they’ve turned that into a strength.
Glasner’s men press intensely in the middle third, leading the Premier League in both total pressures (7,876) and pressures in that zone (4,121). Their press often triggers turnovers, which feed into their counterattacking style.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaïla Sarr, and Eberechi Eze all rank in the top six for pressures in the middle third among forwards, showing Palace’s collective effort to win the ball and strike quickly.
With 168 transition shots this season — fourth-most in the Premier League — Palace thrive on chaos. Against City, they’ll hope lightning strikes again.
Haaland’s Hunt for a Wembley Breakthrough
Erling Haaland’s return from injury last weekend was muted. He looked rusty, and despite City’s dominance, he had just one shot in a 0-0 draw.
Though expected to start the final, there’s a lingering question: Can he finally shine at Wembley?
In five appearances at the stadium for City — two finals, a semi-final, and two Community Shields — Haaland has yet to score. Across those 402 minutes, he’s managed only six shots and 1.17 xG.
His last goal in a major final came in 2021 for Borussia Dortmund. Since then, he’s played in eight such games without finding the net.
This could be the perfect opportunity for the Norwegian to rewrite his Wembley story.
Big-Stage Nerves: Does Experience Tilt the Scales?
Manchester City are seasoned veterans on football’s biggest domestic stages. Under Guardiola, they’ve played in a final in nearly every season since 2016 — excluding only his debut campaign.
That experience counts, especially in managing the emotional swings and tactical precision required on occasions like this. For Crystal Palace, the FA Cup final is unfamiliar territory.
The Eagles have little history in major finals, and that could either ignite them with passion or overwhelm them under pressure. It’s an unknown variable.
But football doesn’t always follow the script. On a good day, courage and hunger can eclipse experience.
One Trophy, Two Stories
Whether this match ends with Manchester City restoring pride or Crystal Palace writing the greatest chapter in their club’s history, the 2025 FA Cup final promises drama, intensity, and perhaps a shock for the ages.
Let the battle begin.
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