It was a match with subtext. Sporting will be managed for a few more days by Ruben Amorim, who will take over Manchester United – Manchester City's derby rival – from November 11. Many fans from the red part of Manchester watched with flushed faces what was happening at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.
City broken in Lisbon. They announce the new Ferguson
Sporting started the match badly, but Phil Foden's goal was the only moment of joy for the visitors. The hero of the match was Viktor Gyokeres, who scored three goals and contributed significantly to Sporting's 4-1 win. The Portuguese did something incredible – they became the third team in a row to defeat Manchester City. Previously, the English champions lost to Tottenham and Bournemouth.
For the first time since the 2017/18 season, Manchester City suffered three consecutive defeats in one season. Then, Liverpool stood in their way twice and Manchester United once. At the turn of the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, Etihad Stadium players also lost three consecutive matches. Then Chelsea, Leicester City and Tottenham turned out to be better.
The English press did not ignore City's embarrassment. The most important media comment on the painful defeat. “Bernardo Silva revealed Manchester City are 'in a dark place' after their 4-1 defeat to Sporting in the Champions League, but Pep Guardiola insists he is up for the challenge and willing to fight in a bid to turn his team's fortunes around. Ruben Amorim has earned sympathy of Manchester United fans even before arriving at Old Trafford, leading to Manchester City's 4-1 defeat against Sporting in Lisbon,” writes Sky Sports.
“Manchester United's new boss, Ruben Amorim, saved one of his biggest wins over Sporting for the last home match, condemning Manchester City to a third defeat in a row for the first time since April 2018,” notes the BBC, citing the loss statistics mentioned above.
“Does this make Amorim the new Ferg?” – asks “The Athletic”, referring to the new coach of Manchester United, who himself joked that if he wins over City, he will be compared to the legendary Scot.
“Sporting vs. Man City: Ruben Amorim tears Pep Guardiola's team apart,” writes the Times bluntly.
“Rio Ferdinand jokes Pep Guardiola 'will be terrified' after Ruben Amorim oversaw Man City defeat – backing new boss to 'bring sunshine' to Manchester United,” Daily Mail comments
“Gyokeres beats Haaland” – notes the above-mentioned website, recalling Guardiola's words. – Emotionally we weren't stable enough. In this competition you have to be stable. We have to be more emotionally stable for the third and fourth goals, admitted the Spanish coach.
“2025 could be City's year again, with this strange run of performances and results seen as another setback before the injury situation clears up and they find their unstoppable rhythm again. Right now, however, there are serious questions about a team that hasn't he has also shown that he is able to find answers” – these were the tones of the Manchester Evening News.
Manchester City is sixth in the Champions League table. In the previous four matches, he lost, drew and won twice. Their next rival in the elite competition will be Feyenoord (November 26).