Joao Cancelo will return to Man City with Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals… but why will the on-loan Portuguese defender be able to play against his parent club?
Manchester City will play German side Bayern Munich in a blockbuster Champions League quarter-final showdown, with Joao Cancelo in line to face his parent club.
The Portuguese international fell out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola and moved to the German side in January on a loan deal until the end of the season. Munich will be able to activate a £61million buy option at the end of the season.
Cancelo started five out of City’s six games in the Champions League group stage earlier this season.
Now, both City and Bayern Munich will go head-to-head in April – with both teams aiming to reach the semi-finals.
But can Cancelo play against his parent club? Is the full-back allowed to play in the Champions League? Sportsmail provides all the answers below.
Cancelo made the move to Bayern Munich back in January on loan until the end of the season
Joao Cancelo played five times for Manchester City in their group stage games
Can Joao Cancelo play in the Champions League for Munich?
In short, yes. Cancelo is allowed to feature for Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
UEFA rules state that clubs are allowed to register a maximum of three new players during the winter period.
It does not matter if a player has already featured in the competition.
Cancelo played in both legs of Bayern’s round of 16 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Can Joao Cancelo play against Manchester City?
In the Premier League, rules do not allow players who are on loan to face their parent club.
However, those rules do not apply in European competitions.
Clubs can agree clauses preventing their players from coming up against them while on loan.
Should City insert a clause preventing Cancelo from playing against them – then the full-back will have to sit out of the two legs.
However, it would appear that City have not inserted a clause forbidding Cancelo to play against his parent club.
According to German journalist Tobi Altschaffl, Cancelo is allowed to feature for Munich against City.
The Bild reporter tweeted: ‘Joao Cancelo facing Manchester City in the #UCL: he can play against his former club. There is no clause in his loan contract that he is not allowed to play against City.’
Bild reporter tweeted that Cancelo is allowed to feature for Munich against City
Joao Cancelo played in Munich’s round of 16 clash with French giants Paris Saint-Germain
Who has played against their parent club in the competition?
This is not the first time the German side have had players featuring against their old club in the competition.
Philippe Coutinho scored two goals against Barcelona in Bayern’s 8-2 win in the Champions League quarter-finals back in 2020.
In 2016, Kingsley Coman scored in added time for Bayern to sink parent club Juventus out of the Champions League.
Thibaut Courtois is another prime example. The goalkeeper faced Chelsea semi-final tie in 2014 while on loan at Atletico Madrid – with Atletico going on to win 3-1 on aggregate.
Philippe Coutinho featured for Bayern Munich against parent club Barcelona in 2020
When will Manchester City play Bayern Munich?
While official dates are yet to be revealed, the first leg will be played at the Etihad on either the 11 or 12 April
The second leg between the two teams will take place at the Allianz Arena on 18 or 19 April.
The winner of the tie will play either Real Madrid or Chelsea in the semi-final.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
