Josko Gvardiol has been stewing over his FA Cup final mistake all summer and is plotting revenge on Manchester United at next month’s Community Shield.
The Croatian, an integral part of Manchester City’s late charge towards a fourth consecutive Premier League title, was caught in a mix-up with goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to gift United the opener during the defeat at Wembley.
Gvardiol ended up heading over an onrushing Ortega, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to score in a scene that he admits still haunts him.
‘I still feel angry about what I did,’ Gvardiol said. ‘I wanted to pass the ball back to Stefan. I didn’t see him, I thought he was on the line and I just wanted to head the ball back. Sometimes we need to talk more, to communicate more.
‘I just want to win the Community Shield and show that we are ready for next season. If we win that game it will be like a wind behind our backs, pushing us.’
Josko Gvardiol has admitted that he has been stewing over FA Cup final mistake all summer
The Croatian headed over an onrushing Stefan Ortega allowing Alehandro Garnacho to score
City are notoriously slow starters and only have a smattering of first-team players on their pre-season tour of the United States.
Gvardiol and international teammate Mateo Kovacic have boosted numbers by joining Pep Guardiola’s squad in New York ahead of Saturday night’s friendly with AC Milan.
A £77million signing from RB Leipzig, Gvardiol initially struggled with his new surroundings last year. Guardiola claimed that the 22-year-old was ‘confused’ at how he was asked to play at left back before a stunning final months of the campaign saw his performances click.
Acting as a left winger who would cut in off the flank, Gvardiol even scored five goals in seven games during the run-in and ended up with the same number of league goals as Gabriel Jesus.
‘I woke up and I began to perform,’ Gvardiol added. ‘I knew I was making silly mistakes. I had to play more simple and that's what I changed at the end of the season.
‘I was (just) passing the ball to the first player I saw. I had the period without confidence and that's normal.’
Gvardiol scored five goals in seven games during the run-in after a slow start in England
Guardiola and Gvardiol had plenty of conversations about his conversion from centre half to left back and he heads into this season as a certain starter.
‘I believe that Pep chose me because of the way I am,’ Gvardiol said. ‘The position was something new for me, but I didn't complain. I took it as a challenge. It feels more comfortable now, definitely.’