Watford boss Javi Gracia issues rally cry: 'We have perfect chance to make history in FA Cup Final'

Glory bid: Javi Gracia is hoping to guide Watford to their first major trophy
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Javi Gracia has told his Watford players that Saturday’s Wembley stadium showpiece against Manchester City is the perfect moment to make history.

Watford have progressed to reach their first FA Cup Final since 1984, when Graham Taylor was the manager and Sir Elton John owned the club. The Hornets, who throughout their 121-year history have never won a major trophy, lost 2-0 that day to Everton.

All that can change on Saturday, however, if Gracia’s side can defy the odds by beating City, who are chasing an unprecedented domestic treble.

Pep Guardiola’s team are strong favourites to lift the famous old trophy, but 49-year-old Spaniard Gracia believes this is the moment for his Watford players to write themselves into the history books by pulling off an unlikely victory.

“I know all the important dates for the club — or finals in this case — but I don’t need all these things to feel more pressure,” said Gracia. “I know perfectly it is an important day, it is an important game. I would like to make history with the club — and to do it we need to win.

“After that we will see if we play another final next season or not, but this is the moment. It is our moment and we have to feel it. I am sure the players know it and they will be ready to give their best.”

Usually so calm and collected, Gracia has admitted he will be emotional at Wembley on Saturday when Watford take on the English champions, who have been in such devastating form all season.

His mother is flying over from Spain for the game, which will be the first time she has seen her son coach in England.

“My mum is coming for the Final,” said Gracia, who coached in Spain and Russia, with Rubin Kazan, before arriving at Vicarage Road in January of last year. “I haven’t see her for a long time, maybe one year. It’s special. She tried to come before and she couldn’t. Now it is the last game [of the season], it is the best chance to be here to see me and her grandsons.

“For sure, it is a good moment for me. I like that my family will be there because my wife and my children are always here, but the rest of them are coming. I think it is a good game to enjoy — not only to win, which we try, but I think it is a good day for all of Watford’s fans and my family.

“It will be something different, something special. But I want to feel it, I want to live it. We deserve this moment.

“We have played during all this season to have this chance. To be there with Watford, with my players, it will be difficult to explain.”

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