Pep Guardiola lauded Mateo Kovacic as “extraordinary” after Manchester Metropolis reached the FA Cup remaining with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Metropolis progressed to a 3rd successive FA Cup remaining because of targets from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol, the primary laid on by Kovacic within the second minute.
The Croatian was to the fore all through at Wembley, the place Forest hit the woodwork thrice within the second half as they sought a route again into the competition.
Regardless of Forest’s misfortune, Metropolis have been deserved winners as they stored their hopes of salvaging silverware from a disappointing season alive.
And Guardiola made some extent of lavishing reward on former Actual Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Kovacic after they booked a gathering with Crystal Palace on Could 17.
“Kovacic is extraordinary. The final three or 4 video games have been superb,” Guardiola advised ITV Sport.
“At his age he can not play each three days however we’re fortunate to have time to get well. We want him for the standard and composure that he has.”
Guardiola used the identical adjective to explain Lewis, who broke the impasse with the primary shot of the match.
“I’m intelligent however not sufficient to see that [Lewis scoring],” Guardiola added. “His positioning within the pockets is extraordinary.
PEP 💬 Seven semi-finals in a row, three finals converse so extremely about this era of gamers and this Membership in itself. We’re actually happy that we’re there. pic.twitter.com/omNYkadhZX
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) April 27, 2025
“It was a great begin. The best way we performed we didn’t permit them to make a lot transitions the place they’re so harmful. Additionally they didn’t arrive a lot within the remaining third with the crosses with [Chris] Wooden and so forth.
“Within the recreation that they had possibilities, it is a staff that with a recreation in hand is best than us within the Premier League.
“They created a bit greater than within the recreation we performed there one or two months in the past [in the Premier League]. They’re an awesome staff. Generally I favored many of the issues that we did.
“Seven semi finals in a row and three finals in a row…. Not unhealthy!”
Morgan Gibbs-White struck the crossbar and the within the publish for Forest, whereas Taiwo Awoniyi additionally hit the publish.
“Just a few months in the past the ball goes contained in the publish,” Guardiola stated of Metropolis’s fortune within the second half. “It goes one aspect or the opposite aspect. Every part is within the head, within the minds of the gamers.”
Metropolis now should refocus on their battle for Champions League soccer subsequent season. Guardiola’s males are fourth, some extent forward of Forest in sixth having performed a recreation extra, with 5 groups qualifying for the Champions League this season.
“Should you stated three years in the past you’ll attain three FA Cup finals in a row, come on. It’s superb,” stated Guardiola.
“Now we’ve 4 finals to go within the Premier League and we’ve to get well and go once more towards Wolves [on Friday].”
