Ederson shrugs off facial gash and asks to play against Feyenoord
Ederson wants to start Manchester City’s opening Champions League game against Feyenoord tomorrow night, despite the sickening facial gash he suffered against Liverpool.
The goalkeeper was treated for eight minutes after being struck in the face by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane’s high boot during City’s 5-0 win. Ederson was taken to the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance with a large cut to his left cheek but tests showed he had no concussion or jaw fracture.
Claudio Bravo replaced him in goal, but Ederson wants to play in Rotterdam. City have not ruled him out, but the club’s medical staff want to see how the cut continues to heal before making a decision. The Brazilian has had an impressive start at City since his £34.7million move from Benfica and having the 24-year-old fit to play would be a boost for manager Pep Guardiola.
With Vincent Kompany unlikely to travel due to a calf injury, Danilo could be asked to continue in a three-man defence. The Brazilian’s versatility is a bonus for Guardiola, who said: “He can play in the three at the back, he can play full-back, right or left, and he can play as a holding midfielder. He also knows how to handle the pressure because he’s been at Madrid and Porto.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, will appeal against the length of suspension for Mane, who was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Ederson and faces a three-match ban. Only a claim of wrongful dismissal would see the ban completely withdrawn, but that is unlikely, so he still faces at least one game out.