Nineteen-year-old CJ Egan-Riley will make his Champions League debut as Pep Guardiola makes six changes for the second leg of Manchester City’s last 16 tie against Sporting.

With only three senior defenders available, Egan-Riley is set to start at right-back in what will be his second senior appearance following his debut against Wycombe Wanderers in September.

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He comes into the side in the absence of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo, who miss out due to suspension and illness respectively.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling complete the changes for Guardiola’s side.

Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Rodrigo all drop to the bench, whilst Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias remain injured and, with only 15 senior players to call upon, there is plenty of youth among the substitutes.

TEAMS

CITY: Ederson, Egan-Riley, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, Bernardo, Jesus, Foden, Sterling.

SUBS: Carson, Slicker, Grealish, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Kayky, Delap, Edozie, Mbete, McAtee.

SPORTING: Adan, Goncalo Inacio, Coates (C), Luis Neto, Pedro Porro, Ugarte, Bruno Tabata, Matheus Reis, Sarabia, Paulinho, Slimani.

SUBS: Paulo, Virginia, Feddal, Nuno Santos, Vinagre, Edwards, Esgaio, Essugo, Ribeiro, Veiga.

Formation

With Egan-Riley expected to slot in at right-back, it looks as if City will line-up in a 4-3-3 formation.

The teenager joins John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Zinchenko in a defence that will be protected by midfield anchorman and captain, Fernandinho, who makes his 100th appearance in the competition.

Gundogan and Bernardo will play just ahead of the Brazilian in the engine room, behind a front three of Jesus, Sterling and Phil Foden.

Stats and facts

  • Sporting and City’s only previous meeting in European competition also came at the Round of 16 stage of the 2011-12 Europa League, when the Portuguese side progressed on away goals after a 3-3 draw.
  • Guardiola‘s team are unbeaten in 17 home European matches (W16 D1) since a 2-1 loss against Lyon on Matchday 1 in 2018-19 and have won our last ten, including last season’s round of 16 first leg against Mönchengladbach in Budapest.
  • City have featured in the Round of 16 every season from 2013-14 onwards, winning five and losing eight. All five wins have taken place after playing away in the first leg. 
  • Gabriel Jesus has scored on all five of his appearances at this stage of the Champions League.
  • We have won all four of our home games against Portuguese visitors, scoring 11 goals and conceding only three.
  • We have never failed to win a European tie after an away first-leg victory.