Goalkeeper Rui Patricio has warned Manchester City to underestimate Sporting Lisbon at their peril.
The Barclays Premier League leaders are favourites to win their Europa League last-16 tie with the Portuguese side having crushed the country’s champions Porto 6-1 in the previous round.
Fourth-placed Sporting trail Porto by 14 points in the Portuguese league and head into the first leg against City at their Jose Alvalade Stadium tomorrow after a shock loss at struggling Setubal last weekend.
But the highly-rated Patricio, who was linked with Manchester United last year, is confident Sporting have the armoury to catch a City side who may be unfamiliar with them by surprise.
The 24-year-old said: “I don’t care whether they know Sporting’s players or not – they will get to know them tomorrow.
“We have no fear. It is 11 against 11 and anything can happen.
“It will be a tough game, City are a very strong team.
“But we are playing at home, we will be united and will fight for victory until the end.
“We know what went wrong against Setubal and we won’t be affected by that.
“We are professionals, we are an excellent team with quality players.
“We are very united and with grit and ambition I am sure we will be able to beat Manchester City.”
The game could offer Patricio the chance to impress English audiences ahead of a possible move to the Premier League but he insists that is of no concern now.
He said: “The most important thing now is Sporting. We have to think about Sporting and only tomorrow night’s match.”
Coach Ricardo Sa Pinto is equally bullish about his side’s prospects against the Premier League leaders.
The Lions had won their previous three games prior to the Setubal loss, including a decisive second leg victory over Legia Warsaw in the previous round.
The former Portugal forward claims to have done his homework on City and is not fazed by their formidable form this season.
He said: “I know the opponents well.
“Manchester City are a strong team, they are first in the Premier League – most goals scored, least goals conceded, very strong players in all areas.
“But Sporting are at home, we have no fear. We will be serious and focused and will play our game.
“We also have quality players, internationals. We will overcome.
“No team is always at 100% in all matches. Manchester City don’t have many weaknesses but anything can happen tomorrow.
“We will take advantage of any opportunity we get and if we fulfil our strategy I expect to get a positive result.”
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