Manchester City took a giant stride towards the Champions League quarter-finals with a clinical 4-0 victory over Basel in the first leg of their last-16 tie at St. Jakob-Park.City raced into a three-goal lead inside 24 minutes thanks to a near-post Ilkay Gundogan header (14), a Bernardo Silva volley (18) and Sergio Aguero’s thunderous 198th goal for the club (23).
Basel had a strong penalty appeal declined before the City deluge but the Swiss champions – often the scourge of English sides in Europe – had no reply, as Gundogan’s second (53) wrapped up a comprehensive victory for Pep Guardiola’s men.It means City can set their sights on the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition for only the second time, barring a miraculous Basel turnaround in the return leg at the Etihad on March 7.
Highlights
Moments
2′Attempt saved. Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva with a cross.
18’Goal! Basel 0, Manchester City 2. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the top left corner.
37’Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Fabian Delph.
49’Attempt saved. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Basel) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Taulant Xhaka.
53’Goal! Basel 0, Manchester City 4. Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Sergio Agüero.
Statistics
Player-Ratings
Line-ups
