Pep Guardiola has insisted Manchester City will not underestimate Leyton Orient in the FA Cup this weekend.
City travel to the League One promotion hopefuls on Saturday lunchtime in the fourth round of the competition. The Premier League champions will start as strong favourites and thrashed lower-league opposition in Salford 8-0 in the previous round.
However, Guardiola has said his side will not be complacent and says City have ‘struggled’ against Football League opposition in recent seasons.
“Yeah of course [they will bring trouble],” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“Always we’ve had problems away in this competition, FA Cup or Carabao Cup, away to teams in the Championship or League One or even League Two.
“Always we struggle. But we are ready for the challenge. Every game is a new opportunity.”
Guardiola could hand a debut to winter window signing Nico Gonzalez. The 23-year-old has arrived from FC Porto in a €60m deal and Guardiola said he is delighted to boost his midfield stocks. Gonzalez adds freshness to a midfield that has struggled in the absence of the injured Rodri this season.
“Really important! It’s a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri,” said Guardiola.
OFFICIAL: Man City sign Nico González from Porto until 2029.
Manchester City spent over $200M this January to try to save their season 💸 pic.twitter.com/bCzTZucJdI
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 3, 2025
“A young player, 23-years-old, can play number six and number eight, more in the pockets. Physicality – he’s a strong young boy.
“I know him from the Barcelona academy and his father was working here. I’m really pleased from the effort of the club to bring him here for the next years.”
Read – Six January signings who could debut this weekend
See more – Five of the best FA Cup fourth-round ties this weekend
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