Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised the club's loyal supporters for their dedication ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final, acknowledging the significant financial commitment required to travel from Manchester to Wembley.

"Our fans make an incredible effort to come down to London – that is not cheap!" Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference on Friday, his words carrying genuine warmth for the traveling faithful who have supported the team through thick and thin.

The City boss, now in his decade at the Etihad, understands better than most the sacrifices involved. After Wednesday's commanding 3-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace – their third match in just seven days – Guardiola's side now faces a Chelsea team that has enjoyed a full week of preparation. While acknowledging the scheduling imbalance, the Catalan tactician accepts it as "the cost of success."

But Saturday's final carries extra weight for Guardiola and his squad. City have lost their last two FA Cup finals, falling to Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively, with Guardiola previously pointing to refereeing and VAR decisions as contributing factors in both defeats.

"It's exciting! Hopefully we can do better than the last two times," Guardiola said, his competitive fire still burning bright as City prepare for their third FA Cup final appearance under his leadership.

The desire to end that losing streak at Wembley provides clear motivation for a squad that knows the taste of victory well. For the fans making the journey south, Guardiola's recognition of their financial sacrifice adds an extra layer of connection between the touchline and the stands – a reminder that in football, the bond between team and supporters runs deeper than just the scoreline.