Round 16 of the Champions League resumes on Wednesday when Manchester City, home to Sporting CP and PSG, takes a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Manchester City hosted Sporting Lisbon following their 5-0 win over the Portuguese on Wednesday and gave PSG a 1-0 win over Real Madrid despite concerns over Kylian Mbappé’s fitness.
Last season’s Primeira Liga winners need an earthquake shock to reverse their 5-0 deficit after being humiliated in the first leg of the round of 16 against City, which is sure to reach quality. quarter-finals.
There is still a lot to play in Spain, which PSG could do without Kylian Mbappé in the second leg of the match against leaders Real Madrid. Mauricio Pochettino’s side was 1-0 against the Spanish capital in the first leg, but have had a nasty home run since beating Parc des Princes in February, losing two of their last three Ligue 1 games.
Although clubs from the same nation have not been able to face each other in the last 16, this is no longer the case from the quarter-finals onwards, meaning there could be an all-English clash between City, Chelsea, and Manchester. on the cards. , with Liverpool advancing to the last eight.
Guardiola continues to pester Red Walker without hesitation to leave Zinchenko
Pep Guardiola admitted he is still furious at Kyle Walker for being sacked in Manchester City’s clash against RB Leipzig three months ago, leaving his side behind for a visit from Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
A three-match ban resulted in the goal-scoring the right goal in the last match of the Champions League group in December with an unnecessary kick to Portuguese striker Andre Silva.
Given that the incident occurred in a match that had nearly died for City and their place in the winning stages as the group winners had already been secured, Guardiola’s manager was furious at the time.
“He deserves a three-game disqualification,” Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference. “If a player does something stupid, he deserves a three-match ban.
“I’m not as nice as Kyle in this kind of business. I’m still so mad at him. There is no reason to discuss it with him – he knows. Kyle is so important to us – you saw the game, he played against United – but in Leipzig, where we were already qualified, 80 minutes later he did such an action? All three matches were deserved.
“The club appealed but I didn’t agree. They had to do it because in other cases they were only two games (but) they deserved it. I hope he learns for the future.”
Among those absent is Joao Cancelo, who is ill and misses the game, which means there could be an event for Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The left-back has shown considerable dignity and strength in recent weeks despite being visibly affected by the crisis at home and Guardiola says he has no reserves to choose from.
