Sporting defends compactly
It was clear early on in the game that for the guests from Portugal it was all about saving face and showing that they were in the round of 16 in the premier class for a reason. Sporting stood deep, defended in a disciplined manner and mostly provided the Citizens with possible gaps. Not more but also not less. Gündogan and Co. played patiently and almost never took a bigger risk. why?
The Premier League leaders didn’t have their first really good chance until the 38th minute. After a good pass from Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling’s lob on the left side of the penalty area was denied by Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adán.
Gabriel Jesus is just about offside
Immediately after the restart, Gabriel Jesus put the favorites in front, but was just offside just before his shot from a tight angle into the near corner. The goal was not awarded after the intervention of the video referee.
Otherwise, the picture was similar to that in round one. The hosts controlled the game but few compelling chances and Sporting themselves rarely had a chance to finish. A long-range shot by Matheus Reis went well over the Citizens’ goal (74′). In the final phase, Ederson was no longer there, but Scott Carson, for whom Guardiola gave him a bit of match practice.
Carson saves against Paulinho
Carson then had a chance to excel a few minutes later. With good positional play, the keeper prevented the deficit when the guests had the best opportunity and made a strong save against Paulinho, who appeared in front of him (79′). Because Sporting held up bravely to the end, it ultimately deserved the respectable success that the Citizens could of course get over with the safe advancement in the back of their minds.
Source: red