MADRID, 8 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The English Manchester City will try this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) to seal their pass to the quarterfinals of the 2021-2022 Champions League without scares and in the calmest way possible, supported by the devastating 0-5 that they took from the first leg round of 16 against a Sporting de Portugal that sees the miracle it needs very far away.
The current runner-up in Europe has practically both feet once again among the top eight in the top continental competition after his exhibition at the José Alvalade, where he made clear his favoritism to be able to play this round with a little more relaxation and thinking of ‘reserving ‘ the maximum possible.
The comeback of the Portuguese champion at the Etihad Stadium, where United lost last Sunday in the derby (4-1), seems unlikely and surely the Lisbon team itself will not risk too much either since it must maintain its energy to try to fight for the league Porto, although without pressure they will try to compete much better than a few weeks ago.
The main problem for Pep Guardiola is that, according to what he indicated at a press conference, he only has “14 players available” for this match, with problems behind due to injuries to central defenders Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo’s illness and the suspension by KyleWalker.
“Although 0-5 in the first leg is an incredible result, football is unpredictable and there may be red cards and the rival’s quality is high. We will choose the best possible team to win the game,” Guardiola said at a press conference. that surely also reserves Kevin de Bruyne, warned of sanction.
For his part, the coach of Sporting de Portugal, Ruben Amorim, will be without midfielder Matheus Nunes, suspended, nor with the injured Daniel Bragança, Pedro Gonçalves and João Palhinha. “They only need eleven players and they have others on the bench. Manchester City has a short group but with quality. They are all starters, and that doesn’t leave anyone alone,” said the coach of the ‘Leoes’ about the absences in the draw ‘citizen’.