2022-03-09
The Manchester Qualified for the quarter-finals of Champions League After a 0-0 draw at home against Sporting LisbonThanks to the 5-0 win in the first leg in Portugal.
In the match they dominated, but without displaying the usual offensive game, the Pep Guardiola He managed to score a goal at the beginning of the second half, through Gabriel Jesus, but the Brazilian striker canceled it for offside.
Although the tie was settled in the first leg, Pep Guardiola He did not want to risk and left only three key players on the bench, Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and Spain’s Rodri.
Another change was forced: Portuguese winger Joao Cancelo, ailing, left his position to young Konrad Egan Reilly, who at the age of 19 made his European debut.
City started to dominate, but without giving their game the usual pace, making it easier for the Portuguese to defend, who were not keen to look for the goal defended by Brazilian Ederson Moraes.
Little by little, Guardiola’s team increased its revolutions and in the 24th minute came the first opportunity to score, with a shot from Phil Foden that was shot by Spanish goalkeeper Antonio Adan with his fists.
Another obvious opportunity is that city Before the break it was a one-on-one match between Raheem Sterling and Adan which the Spanish goalkeeper shot with one hand (38).
The entrance to the field of Mahrez is one of the strongest players in the world cityit was noticed as soon as the second half started, as the Algerian sent a single player to Gabriel Jesus in the net, although the referee canceled the Brazilian striker’s goal for offside (47).
Gabriel Jesus tried again soon after, but was condemned twice saved (56).
In the last half hour, Sporting He seemed to be taking a step forward to search for a prestigious victory and the Englishman Marcus Edwards had one of the first opportunities for Sporting, in a shot from inside the area saved by Ederson (60).
In the final stage, Guardiola He has allowed himself the luxury of replacing Ederson for Scott Carson, not because of the Brazilian’s injury, but to give the 36-year-old veteran goalkeeper the chance to make his Champions League debut.
Carson responded by throwing himself at Paulinho to save the goal of the Portuguese striker (76).
Carson couldn’t celebrate his debut in Champions With a victory, but with City qualifying to the quarter-finals in a competition where they are the current runner-up.