With the FA Cup fourth round replays coming to an end this evening, Bristol City will already be looking forward to their fifth round tie against Manchester City after thrashing West Brom last month. The meeting with the Premier League champions is their first since the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final five years ago.
The Robins’ run in the Cup during the 2017-18 season was a memorable one as they fought off the likes of Watford, Crystal Palace and Manchester United to face Pep Guardiola’s side in their first major semi-final since 1989. After shocking Man United with a 2-1 win at Ashton Gate in December, City were confident of causing another upset against another Premier League outfit.
However, it wasn’t to be as Man City won both legs and went onto win the whole competition - however it wasn’t as easy as expected for the eight-time champions as the aggregate score ended 5-3. While most of the starting line-up from their second leg fixture no longer play for Bristol City, the new-look team will be once again eager to put on a performance.
Ahead of the Carabao Cup fifth round clash later this month, we take a look at the eleven that suffered defeat to City in 2018.
5. Joe Bryan
Bryan spent nine years with his boyhood club and became one of the best full-backs in the Championship before he was snapped up by Fulham in 2018. Bryan netted twice in extra-time in the Championship play-off final to help the London club win promotion to the Premier League. The 29-year-old is now on loan at Nice and has made five appearances in Ligue 1. | Getty Images
6. Bobby Decordova-Reid
After joining his boyhood club’s youth team in 2002, Reid spent 16 years with Bristol City - scoring 29 goals in 158 appearances. The Jamaica international now plays in the Premier League with Fulham and has been used up front, in midfield and also as a wing-back. Reid scored the Robins’ only goal in their first leg defeat to Man City. | Getty Images
7. Marlon Pack
The midfielder spent six years at Ashton Gate, making 283 appearances and scoring 12 goals. Pack was the club captain before he joined Cardiff City in 2019. He has six goal contributions for Portsmouth in League One this season. | Getty Images
8. Josh Brownhill
After joining from Preston North End in 2016, Brownhill went onto become one of the Championship’s best midfielders and earned himself a move to the Premier League with Burnley in 2020. Brownhill has five goals and six assists for the Clarets this season. | Getty Images