RB Leipzig to present bronze trophy to Manchester City star ahead of Champions League clash

Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol is reportedly set to be presented with a bronze trophy in the shape of a bull when he returns to RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.

The 21-year-old central defender left the German giants midway through the most recent summer transfer window, becoming one of four new recruits to join Pep Guardiola’s reinvented squad at the Etihad Stadium after a number of high-profile departures.

Josko Gvardiol is likely to have been internally viewed as a natural replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who brought an end to his time at Manchester City by joining Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

Now, as Manchester City gear up for matchday two of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign, Josko Gvardiol is also preparing to come up against his former side as RB Leipzig host the reigning European champions in Saxony.

For Gvardiol, it could be an emotional affair, as a new report has detailed plans for a brief ceremony to welcome back the player to his former club and give him the opportunity to say farewell to the fanbase in style.

According to journalist Peter Linden, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City’s summer signing Josko Gvardiol will be ‘ceremoniously farewelled’ by his now-former club RB Leipzig when he returns to the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday night.

It is claimed that the Croatia international defender is set to receive a ‘bull cast in bronze’ as a symbol of his time at the Bundesliga club.

Gvardiol is likely to start for Manchester City at the Red Bull Arena too, as Pep Guardiola looks to solidify his defensive line following consecutive defeats against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively.

City have the opportunity to move three points clear at the top of their Champions League group with a victory on Wednesday night, after both sides won their respective opening group games by 3-1 scorelines.

Pep Guardiola’s players came from 0-1 behind to win 3-1 against Crvena zvezda at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago, thanks to a second-half brace from Julian Alvarez and a goal from Champions League final hero Rodri.