Reborn Sterling shows his worth
BOSS GUARDIOLA A GREAT MOTIVATOR City winger seems to be enjoying life under new manager.
As Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City advance upon the Champions League group phase, previously maligned winger Raheem Sterling appears to have been revitalised.
Sterling, 21, joined City from Liverpool in a fractious £49 million move last year, but flattered to deceive and ultimately lost his place in the starting XI.
He was also derided for some insipid England displays at Euro 2016, but he is thriving under Guardiola and inspired City to a 5-0 win at Steaua Bucharest in their Champions League play-off round first leg.
“Obviously he’s been criticised a lot in the last year, but the way he’s responding is great,” said team-mate Kevin de Bruyne ahead of tonight’s return leg.
Sterling set the tone for City in last week’s first leg in Bucharest, winning an early penalty (which Sergio Aguero squandered) and laying on goals for David Silva and Aguero, who scored a hat-trick.
He won a penalty as City beat Sunderland 2-1 on the opening day and impressed again in last Saturday’s 4-1 win at Stoke City, unselfishly setting up a late goal for Nolito.
With the tie against Steaua effectively over, the game at the Etihad Stadium gives Guardiola a chance to hone his tactical innovations, such as his use of fullbacks in central midfield roles.
He may also hand playing time to some of his fringe players, but it remains to be seen whether outcast goalkeeper Joe Hart will be granted a first start of the campaign.
The other games are all more finely poised, with Dutch giants Ajax level at 1-1 with Rostov ahead of the second leg in Russia.
The tie between Roma and Porto, which was played in the Italian capital late last night, was also delicately balanced at 1-1.
Monaco, quarterfinalists in 2015, carry a 2-1 lead into their home game with Villarreal.
Dundalk’s hopes of becoming the first Irish team to reach the group stage appear slim as they travel to Legia Warsaw needing to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
“Going away 1-0 would be better for us than 2-0, but we’re still in the tie,” said Dundalk defender Andy Boyle.
Like City, Celtic appear all but home and hosed after crushing Israeli representatives Hapoel Beer-Sheva 5-2 in the home leg.
But their fans face a probe by Uefa after unveiling dozens of Palestine flags during the game in Glasgow. – AFP