Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is cautious of the threat Plymouth Argyle can pose ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round encounter, refusing to call them an unknown team, Afrosport reports.
The Pilgrims have made headlines in this season’s cup competition, first eliminating Brentford away in the third round before taking out Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round.
The Championship outfit will have another giant-killing task to do at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening which Guardiola is not underestimating.
“It is not unknown. If you are able to beat the best team in the country this season Liverpool. They went unbeaten also at Brentford then it is not unknown,” the Spaniard said.
“They defend really aggressive up front. They allow you to go outside then after it is like a trigger, they make an incredible movement – the wing-backs jumping and the defenders to win the ball in the transitions that they do.
“And with the attacking midfielders they have inside, they link really well with the strikers.
“In the Championship, League One, League Two the set-pieces are the main thing that I think the Premier League learn from this type of league.
“They are solid and, of course, since the manager took over the results are there. They only lost a few games in their last 10 or 11 so yes, I expect a difficult game.
“We play at home – that is a little advantage compared with away. But these types of games we know they are tricky because these types of teams, what they do, they do really well.
“When they can apply it and do better [at it] than we want to do then you are in trouble.”
Making our first visit to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow! 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/nhSHYff1r3
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 28, 2025
With Manchester City out of the UEFA Champions League, EFL Cup and practically out of contention in the Premier League, the FA Cup presents the only piece of silverware Guardiola can win this season.
