Sergio Gomez amassed 49 minutes of playing time in Manchester City’s 6-3 win over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon after replacing the injured Kyle Walker in the first-half, but he might be in line to start against FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night as Walker doesn’t appear to have recovered.
Sergio Gomez coming on for Kyle Walker, so Cancelo switching flanks. Injury
— Simon Bajkowski (@spbajko) October 2, 2022
Pep Guardiola revealed in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference that the 32-year-old “is out”, so Gomez could start at left-back so Joao Cancelo can switch to the right. It would be only his second start for City, both of which would be in the Champions League.
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Gomez has made five appearances in all competitions since joining from RSC Anderlecht in August, notching one assist. The uncapped Spaniard has had to be patient for opportunities as Cancelo has been preferred on the left while Walker played on the right.
Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have featured in a makeshift left-back role in the past too, so Gomez has stiff competition for playing time. But Guardiola did give him a surprise start against Sevilla last month and trusted him in the Manchester derby, so fans might see more of the 22-year-old now.
He’s been on the books at Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, so Gomez shouldn’t be overawed by the big occasion.
In other news, Pep Guardiola explains why Riyad Mahrez has been dropped
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