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.
SPORTING V CITY | MATCH PREVIEW
Guardiola says the dynamic this time will be different, with the City boss fully expecting a stern test on this occasion.
“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 first time in 20 years and then doing it again last season shows what a good job he has done.”
Watch the full press conference via the video above!
