Pep’s snub for Laporte causes a stir

IT IS not often that central defenders offer the most intriguing subplot to a Champions League knockout match and yet the sight of Aymeric Laporte sat on the bench again provided one.

Guardiola started four centre halves in consecutive games and Laporte was not one of them for either. In fact, he has only started two of City’s last 11 matches in all competitions.

Laporte could be one who departs in the summer, with City admirers of Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol. Quite whether City fancy stumping up the £115million asking price for the Croatian is another matter, with midfield their main focus ahead of next season.