Manchester City’s Champions League hopes took a hit with a surprising 4-1 loss to Sporting CP at Estadio Jose Alvalade, showcasing some vulnerabilities that Pep Guardiola’s team must address. Here are four key takeaways from the match.
Sporting Dominates in Second Half as City Falter
City had a strong start, with Phil Foden finding the net just four minutes in. But Viktor Gyokeres quickly showed why he’s one of Europe’s most feared strikers. Near halftime, Gyokeres outmuscled Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and cleverly chipped Ederson to level the score.
Sporting came out firing in the second half, scoring twice within minutes—Maximilliano Araujo unleashed a powerful shot, followed by a Gyokeres penalty. Despite a missed penalty from Erling Haaland, Sporting remained relentless, with Gyokeres netting another from the spot to complete his hat-trick. This marks City’s third consecutive loss, something they haven’t experienced since 2018, dropping them to sixth in the Champions League group stage standings.
Gyokeres Proves to Be a Potent Threat
City had every reason to be cautious of Viktor Gyokeres, who has been on fire with 20 goals in 15 games this season. The Swedish forward demonstrated his versatility by holding up the ball, making sharp runs, and playing effectively in channels. In the second half, Sporting adapted, playing longer passes to exploit City’s backline. Gyokeres excelled at connecting with teammates like Francisco Trincao and Pedro Goncalves, making him a constant thorn in City’s side.
City’s “B Team” Depth Not What It Once Was
Historically, City has had incredible squad depth, with high-caliber players on their bench able to compete at the highest level. This season, though, injuries to key players like Rodri, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, and John Stones have left Guardiola with a less experienced second-string lineup. Players like Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes, and James McAtee—while promising—lack the experience of former backups like Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez. The current squad has shown a noticeable drop in quality and experience, raising questions about the club’s recruitment and replacement strategy.
Defensive Weakness on Counter-Attacks Persists
City’s vulnerability to counter-attacks has been a recurring issue this season. Opponents have frequently found gaps in the City defense when transitioning quickly, and this match was no exception. Sporting exposed these weaknesses with a well-executed counter-attacking strategy, and City’s current 3-2-4-1 formation struggled to cope. While Guardiola has a history of tactical adaptations, a shift back to a 4-3-3 or similar setup may be necessary to better protect the defense.
Ruben Amorim Ends His Sporting Tenure on a High Note
This was a statement victory for Ruben Amorim, who leaves Sporting to take on the managerial role at Manchester United. The win not only cements his reputation in Europe but also demonstrates his ability to inspire and organize a team capable of challenging elite opponents. Sporting was patient and defensively solid in the first half before unleashing a precise counter-attacking game plan in the second, a testament to Amorim’s tactical acumen. This win serves as a promising send-off, and he will now look to bring the same intensity to his new Premier League challenge.
Amorim’s parting victory over the English champions sends a strong message as he prepares to face them again, this time as manager of their rivals on November 11.
