Defender Manuel Akanji of Manchester City can be suspended and miss the first leg of the Champions League semifinal.
A further caution will result in a one-match suspension for Akanji because he has already received two cautions in the European competition. City will take a sizable lead from the first leg when they travel to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
As Pep Guardiola‘s team defeated Thomas Tuchel‘s team at the Etihad Stadium, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland all registered goals. For an exciting matchup against either Real Madrid or Chelsea in the last four, City will be anxious to finish the job in midweek.
However, Akanji’s ban would lessen the luster of a potential triumph. The Champions League rules regarding suspensions and other matters that you need to be aware of have been examined by MEN Sport.
How long will Akanji be in danger?
Akanji would be eligible to play in a potential semifinal and championship game if he is able to play through the Bayern game without picking up another caution. This is due to the fact that yellow cards are removed after the quarterfinals.
The center-back will miss the opening leg of the semifinals if City advances after receiving a booking at the Allianz. If Akanji is cautioned tomorrow night and the Blues are eliminated by Bayern, his ban for the opening match of the Champions League for next season would not be imposed because all cautions and pending suspensions for yellow cards are reset at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Cancelo play against City?
On Wednesday night, City might have to face their own full-back Joao Cancelo once more. Unless there is a contract provision prohibiting it, players are permitted to compete in UEFA competitions against their parent clubs.
In the match last week in Manchester, Cancelo played for ten minutes and was booed by the home crowd as he entered the pitch.
Are away goals considered?
Before the start of the 2021/22 season, UEFA stated in late June 2021 that the away goals rule would be eliminated across all of their club competitions. Therefore, even though City had a clean sheet the previous week, they won’t have an edge if they score in Germany.
Is VAR currently in use?
VAR will be used at the Allianz on Wednesday night, just like it has been in every Champions League game so far this season.