Aguero’s mad dash to give City boost for European tilt
SERGIO AGUERO will follow his Manchester City team-mates to Portugal as they attempt to make history in the Champions League.
Aguero has been working overtime to prove his fitness after sustaining a knee injury seven weeks ago, doing rehabilitation in Barcelona following minor surgery performed by Dr ramon Cugat.
the 32-year- old is running out of time to place himself into a position to help City in the Lisbon mini-tournament, which kicks off tomorrow.
City flew out to Portugal yesterday afternoon and will spend four days training in the iberian heat before their quarter-final against Lyon on saturday.
Aguero is set to link up with the squad, travelling from Barcelona to the Portuguese capital to join City’s bubble environment in their camp and hotel.
Pep Guardiola had been unsure whether the club’s greatest ever goalscorer would be able to make the trip and his players will be buoyed by the Argentine’s appearance. City are in regular consultation with the physios overseeing Aguero’s programme in spain.
Gabriel Jesus impressed in Aguero’s absence in Friday’s last-16 victory over real Madrid, during which Phil Foden was initially deployed as a false nine. Being able to call on Aguero from the bench would serve as a major fillip for Guardiola. Centre back Eric Garcia was part of the travelling party with his long-term future up in the air. Barcelona are keen to re-sign the 19-year-old but are said to be unwilling to go above £14million in their pursuit of the defender.
City value the spaniard at around £30m, including any additional clauses. Garcia has entered the final 12 months of his contract, although there is hope he could reverse his decision to leave and stay at the Etihad stadium.
Meanwhile, City’s players were all tested for Covid-19 over the weekend, with another round scheduled for Friday. the results should be delivered to the team no later than six hours before kick-off against Lyon.
UEFA have recommended that the official delegation of teams, covering the likes of City’s chief executive Ferran soriano and sporting director txiki Begiristain, travel separately from the squad and stay in a separate hotel. those delegations are understood to be a maximum of 10 officials.
UEFA have also recommended that bus drivers shuttling teams from their hotels to training or matches are tested for Covid-19, as well as using plexiglass to isolate them during the journey.
Players have been advised to refrain from swapping shirts after the matches.