Manchester City dealt out a 4-goal thrashing to FC Basel at the St. Jakob-Park. The hosts could not register a single goal and the match ended 0-4.
Pep Guardiola’s men pretty much ended the contest in the first half with 3 goals within a span of 9 minutes. On the 14th minute, Ilkay Gundogan got the better of Frei in the near post to guide Kevin De Bruyne’s crosses into the back of the net. The German was poorly marked but his headed effort was well timed.
Basel could not handle the constant battering from the City attack and Tomas Vaclik made a blunder to allow the second goal. Bernardo Silva’s lobbed volley towards the far end of the goal could have been handled better and the Basel goalkeeper only managed to get a weak hand on it.
Sergio Aguero subsequently came it with the third. The Argentine was allowed acres of space to get the open shot on goal and he delivered. A thunder strike from long distance left the goalkeeper paralyzed as City made it 3-0.
The second half was pretty much the same story with the Manchester side maintaining majority of the possession and Basel trying to get their team going. On the 53rd minute, Gundogan showcased a bit of his wizardry on the edge of the box to end the tie for good. He picked up Aguero’s pass and cut back towards his right before curling it towards the top corner.
The second leg at Etihad is expected to be a formality for both teams as Pep will already be making preparations for the quarter-final.
Manchester City Player Ratings:
Ederson – 7/10
Made a brilliant save against Elyounoussi powerful strike to keep the clean sheet intact. Otherwise, a boring day at work.
Kyle Walker – 7/10
Spent the majority of his minutes up front providing the necessary width from the right. Was clinical with his challenges as well.
Vincent Kompany – 6/10
He took a few minutes to settle into the game but found his rhythm eventually. Very dominant at the back.
Nicolas Otamendi – 7/10
Was very calculated in his approach tonight and read the Basel attacks really well.
Fabian Delph – 8/10
Not at all rusty after coming back from injury and he did not allow anybody an inch of space on the left.
Fernandinho – 7/10
Very clever with possession and his driving run opened up space for City’s 3rd goal.
Kevin De Bruyne – 8/10
He breezed through the game and got the assist for the 1st goal.
Ilkay Gundogan – 9/10
He stood out today with a cracking display. Could have had a hat-trick.
Raheem Sterling – 6/10
He ran rampant from the left wing but was a bit sloppy on the ball. Had a few good opportunities but failed to convert.
Kun Aguero – 8/10
Got the goal and an assist.
Bernardo Silva – 8/10
He worked hard and was rewarded with the goal. The chest control to get the ball down was exquisite.
Substitutes:
Leroy Sane – 6/10
Looked unfit and understandably so after the injury.
David Silva – 6/10
He had a few touches here and there, nothing out of books.
Danilo – NA
