Champions League: Return of Jadon Sancho a problem for Man City
By Varun Aithal
On Wednesday, there will be a lot at stake at the Signal Iduna Park. Borussia Dortmund will go up against Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-finals tie. The German outfit is trailing 2-1 in the tie against the Cityzens and will look to overcome the deficit. The team has received a major boost ahead of the game: Jadon Sancho is back in the team and could start the game, as he returned to training on Monday in Germany.
"Jadon Sancho returned to training for Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, just days before the Champions League quarter-final second leg against former club Manchester City.(Via: Skysports)"
Borrusia Dortmund are a goal down in the two-legged tie against the Premier League Champions-elect. But, they have an away goal that could prove to be hugely important in the second leg. Moreover, the addition of Jadon Sancho can tilt the game in Borussia Dortmund’s balance on Wednesday.
Against Dortmund, Manchester City left it late to score the winning goal. They had to dig deep for their victory. City struggled to create chances on one end, and failed to limit Jude Bellingham’s impact on the other.
Though the duo of John Stones and Ruben Dias kept Erling Haaland relatively quiet, Dortmund still managed to find other ways to score. Marco Reus scored a goal, and the referee incorrectly disallowed one from Bellingham.
How can Jadon Sancho have an impact on the result?
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According to a report published on Bundesliga’s official website a few weeks ago, Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland have 39 goals and 23 assists between them. Both the players have been crucial for their side in the attacking third, and the first leg proved that Haaland would sometimes need constant supply from the likes of Sancho to find the back of the net.
Jude Bellingham and Marco Reus were the only real and direct creators available in the team in the first leg. The addition of Sancho would not only add a chance creator but can also open up City’s defense, as he is a player who can draw bodies towards himself and create space for his teammates.
We have seen Manchester City struggle against Manchester United, a team that has fast-paced players like Daniel James and Marcus Rashford at their disposal. The full-backs of Pep Guardiola can be exposed if Sancho features in the game against City.
Jadon Sancho was a part of City’s youth team in the past. However, the club let him go because he demanded more game time. It remains interesting to see how the player performs against his former side.
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Would Pep Guardiola’s men make it into the semi-finals, or would Dortmund do enough to turn the tie around? Have your say in the comment section below!