Man City Makes 3 Changes for Champions League Clash Against Sporting CP: Will They Repeat 2022 Dominance?
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is afforded his first senior start as City makes three changes for Tuesday’s return to Champions League action away at Sporting CP. The teenage central defender – who celebrated his 19th birthday yesterday - made his competitive first-team bow as a substitute in last week’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie at Spurs. Simpson-Pusey comes into the starting XI in Lisbon along with Rico Lewis and Savinho from the side that began last Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League loss away at Bournemouth. Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake and Ilkay Gundogan all revert to the bench.
John Stones, Ruben Dias and Jack Grealish were all ruled out of the trip to Portugal through injury. Meanwhile, Rodrigo and Oscar Bobb also remain sidelined as they continue their recovery and rehabilitation from long-term injuries.
Guardiola's Tactical Choices
Ederson will be the familiar figure in goal with the Brazilian international protected by a back four of Lewis, Simpson-Pusey, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol. Mateo Kovacic is set to be the midfield shield with skipper Bernardo Silva also operating in the engine room. Erling Haaland will provide the central striking focal point with Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes and Savinho also set to be deployed further forward. However, as always, such is the tactical fluidity and flexibility within Pep Guardiola’s squad that our formation could evolve as the evening progresses.
City's Previous Encounter with Sporting CP
City is no stranger to Sporting and their atmospheric Estádio José Alvalade venue. We were last here back in February 2022 for a Champions League last-16 first leg assignment where we went on to record a stunning 5-0 victory. Bernardo Silva was amongst the scorers that evening, claiming a brilliant brace of goals. Speaking at Monday night’s pre-match press conference, the Portugal international spoke of his fond memories of that occasion – and desire to try and help City record another positive result.
A New Era at Sporting CP
Tonight’s match will mark the final home clash in charge for departing Sporting boss Ruben Amorim who will leave the Club next week after four years to take charge at Manchester United. Meanwhile, Sporting’s Director of Football Hugo Viana will head to Manchester next summer after six highly successful years in the post to succeed Txiki Begiristain as City’s new Director of Football.
City's Recent Struggles and the Need to Bounce Back
Tonight’s match is the third of four consecutive away matches for City in what has been a demanding run of fixtures. We will also step out on the back of two frustrating 2-1 losses on the road, last Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth round exit being followed by a narrow defeat away at Bournemouth in last Saturday’s return to Premier League action. However, one of the many qualities that have underscored City across Pep Guardiola’s storied reign has been our ability to bounce back in emphatic fashion in the wake of setbacks. And with City currently lying in third place in the Champions League table, a return to winning ways in the Portuguese capital would further boost our hopes of sealing a top eight finish and with it a guaranteed place in the knockout stages.
Key Stats and Insights
Sporting CP won their first European meeting with City in March 2012 in the UEFA Europa League but are winless in their last three against them (D1 L2). City has lost just one of our 10 major European matches against Portuguese opposition (W6 D3), although it was against Sporting in March 2012. In those 10 games, City has kept six clean sheets, including one in each of our last three.
City has only lost one of our previous five away trips to face Portuguese opponents in European competition (W2 D2), and are unbeaten there in UEFA Champions League matches: 0-0 v FC Porto in December 2020 and 5-0 v Sporting CP in February 2022.
After losing each of their first five matches against English sides in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting CP has gone unbeaten in each of the last three (W1 D2). Indeed, they won their last home match in the competition against an English opponent, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in September 2022.
Sporting CP are unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League this season, winning twice and drawing one. If they can avoid defeat here, they will equal their longest ever unbeaten run in the European Cup/Champions League (four games between September 1982-March 1983).
Viktor Gyökeres has been directly involved in 10 goals in 12 appearances for Sporting CP in European competition (seven goals, three assists), while scoring in all four of his European starts at the Estádio José Alvalade (four goals).
City’s Erling Haaland has been directly involved in 49 goals in 42 appearances in the UEFA Champions League (44 goals, five assists). If he scores or assists here, the Norwegian will become the fastest player to 50 combined goals and assists in the competition’s history (43), overtaking Ruud van Nistelrooy for fewest appearances to do so (45).
17-year-old Geovany Quenda has featured in all three of Sporting CP’s games in the UEFA Champions League this season. The only Portuguese player to make more appearances while aged under-18 in a single season in the competition is Rúben Neves, who played five times for FC Porto in 2014-15 (also aged 17).
City’s Rico Lewis is the player with the highest xG sequence involvement from open play in the UEFA Champions League this season (5.2), with the player second on the list being teammate Erling Haaland (4.35).
Guardiola's Thoughts on the Match
It was February 2022 when City last travelled to Lisbon to face Sporting in the Champions League, when goals from Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva (2), Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling helped secure a heavy first leg win in our last-16 tie. It was an impressive display from City, who were relatively untroubled throughout and returned to England with one foot firmly in the quarter-finals. Since then, Sporting have reshaped their squad and reclaimed the Portuguese title, with their success in May marking their second league success in four seasons, having previously gone 19 years without winning one.
“I don’t know why but I never think before the game we are going to win [scoring] four or five, never never,” said Guardiola. “It’s a different game. That was knockout stages. Different statement and our momentum for the lack of many players is completely different to what it was at that time.
“They play quite similar like we faced two seasons ago; the pattern is so clear. They use the ball and have possession from the back little bit more now. They had a striker two years ago and they linked with him, Gyokeres now runs in behind. They have a good link inside, can switch play and have good movement upfront.
“They have changed players but have same manager and same mentality. Winning the league for the first time in 20 years and then doing it again last season shows what a good job he has done.”
The Verdict: A Close Match is Expected
The return to Lisbon for Manchester City will be a test of their resilience, as they face a formidable opponent in a rejuvenated Sporting CP. The injuries within the squad have significantly impacted City’s ability to maintain their usual dominance and they will need to find a way to overcome the challenges posed by the Portuguese side. This match will undoubtedly be a fierce contest, and with the history of both clubs and the current situation, it promises to be a highly entertaining and potentially decisive encounter. Only time will tell if City can repeat their 2022 success and secure a crucial victory in Lisbon.
