X Responds to Man City's Shocking Defeat to Sporting CP in the Champions League
Manchester City were forced to bid farewell to their unbeaten run in the Champions League when they fell to a huge 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in Lisbon on Tuesday evening.
Incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim aimed to make an impression when he hosted Pep Guardiola's side, recording a stunning victory over the reigning Premier League champions thanks to a hat-trick from in-form striker Viktor Gyokeres.
While Liverpool faced Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid took on Milan in the same evening, all eyes were on the Portuguese side and their comfortable victory. If Amorim can bring his current tactics to Old Trafford, December's Manchester derby may be a blockbuster clash.
Manchester United fans tuning in to support Amorim's Sporting against Man City tonight pic.twitter.com/hisqXqITLL
fair play, Ruben Amorim may be the first Manchester United manager to have a statue at Old Trafford before he starts the job
This is what Ruben Amorim has built. Look at the stadium rocking!😍👏 pic.twitter.com/N3UbAJbmVh
After Phil Foden netted in the opening four minutes, City fans will have mistakenly expected Tuesday's game to be a walk in the park.
Little did they know the trouble that they would soon encounter.
Eight goals in his last nine Champions League starts - Phil Foden loves European night! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/urUoRhtKRy
Phil Foden has now scored the same amount of Champions League goals as Ronaldinho (18). 👀#UCL pic.twitter.com/AgkWFBSH44
However, it did not take long for Sporting star Gyokeres to find the back of the net. After wasting an earlier chance by firing a shot straight into the hands of goalkeeper Ederson, the Swedish striker made sure to finish his 38th minute effort with a crisp shot into the bottom corner of the net.
His superb run against the run of play left Gyokeres with ample time to perfect his shot, dancing around 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Gyokeres eating up that Rico Lewis and Pusey high line pic.twitter.com/35svaNLw07
That Gyokeres goal doesn't happen if it was Diaz or Stones there. He just took advantage of the inexperience of Pusey, City academy player.
Akanji has let Simpson-Pusey down big time tonight.
It took Sporting just 20 seconds from kick-off after the break to fire themselves back into the lead. In incredibly quick succession, the home side manoeuvred the ball towards City's final third before Maximiliano Araujo blasted an effort into the back of the net.
A sublime strike from the Portuguese side kicked off their eventual cruise to success.
Maximiliano Araújo is the 24th Uruguayan to score in Portugal's top flight in its 90-year history.🇺🇾🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/n0IAm69NvI
Araujo with the excellent finish. Crumbs.
Sporting make it 2-1 straight from kick off… The Amorim Effect 👀
Minutes later, Sporting were celebrating once again. This time, the praise returned to Gyokeres as he converted a penalty kick from the spot to strengthen his side's lead.
Sporting had scored two stunning efforts in three minutes, while Guardiola seemed to tremble on the sidelines.
No one expected to see Gykores brace against City, I also sold
Gyokores is a beast of a striker, the strength, pace and work rate is insane. Responsible for 0.73/0.76 of sporting xG that first half while being dominated.Sheesh
More reason why I say we should get Viktor Gyokeres next summer transfer he just scored a brace against city. https://t.co/2eBdo8Sq1N pic.twitter.com/2yi55TPKSD
City's usually reliable Erling Haaland was offered the chance to throw his side a lifeline when he stepped up to take a penalty due to an accidental handball by Ousmane Diomande.
The composed, prolific striker crumbled under the pressure of his European opponents, blasting the ball before it ricocheted off the crossbar.
Erling Haaland has missed EIGHT big chances in his last three appearances, more than any other player in Europe.WASHED. ❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/WXZdClU4Q0
Amorim knew Haaland would miss 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/IRNYgL2QCz
Erling ‘Stay Humble’ Haaland misses a penalty. Bless. pic.twitter.com/Sj2jiXAVzo
Gyokeres scored his fourth and final goal of the game in the 80th minute, sending Guardiola and his side back to the cold realities of Manchester.
It was a successful night for Sporting, and Amorim, who will undoubtedly have a new-found confidence ahead of his move to Old Trafford on Monday.
Viktor Gyokeres has scored 53 goals in 2024 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dRWfRh0zHC
The amazing thing about Sporting pumping City like this is that Man Utd’s squad of players have literally no excuses. Amorim’s way has destroyed them. You know who it’s on if it fails.
Viktor Gyokeres was 23 when Brighton let him go to Coventry for just £1m. Now he's the hottest striker in Europe at 26. Dan Ashworth was the Brighton sporting director who let him go, so might be a fun conversation if Ruben Amorim mentions him
In all competitions, Manchester United have the same amount of goals as Viktor Gyokeres this season.
Look at how focused these Sporting players are on feeding GyokeresHøjlund's gonna feel like he's playing a different sport under Amorim...
Ruben Amorim.He's our man. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/xlAwYUvDO3
Ruben Amorim's Sporting have come from behind to thrash Man City 4-1, because his players are willing to run and give absolutely everything on the pitch, as if their lives depend on it.The question now is, are Man Utd players willing to do this for him?Work hard, or LEAVE! pic.twitter.com/rmAIfhXPZS
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