BRAVO KYLE! SUB KEEPER LIFTS CITY
CLAUDIO BRAVO was sent off as Manchester City suffered a nightmare ahead of Sunday’s title showdown with Liverpool.
City ended the game with right-back Kyle Walker in goal after first-choice keeper Ederson went off injured at half-time and his replacement Bravo saw red (right) after 80 minutes.
Bravo was given his marching orders for bringing down Atalanta forward Josip Ilicic in a
one-on-one, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side to play out the game with 10 men.
The draw meant City, who had a 100 per cent record in this season’s competition going into the game, must wait to secure qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.
But Guardiola’s biggest concern will be the possible loss of Ederson for Sunday’s potentially defining encounter in this season’s title race at Anfield.
Bravo, as he showed with his rush of blood to the head for the second red card of his City career, lacks the same assurance and reliability as Ederson, who Guardiola will pray recovers in time to face Jurgen Klopp’s side.
There was no hint of the drama to come when City took the lead after seven minutes through Raheem Sterling following a wonderfully crafted move. But Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty just before half-time screwing his spot-kick wide, and that proved a major turning point.
Atalanta, without a point before the kick-off, levelled four minutes after the restart with a header from Mario Palasic – and looked capable of going on to win.
Bravo’s dismissal meant City were happy to see the game out and leave with a point.