Manchester City have all but sealed a place in the quarterfinal of the 2017/2018 UEFA Champions League after a dominant display against Basel in Switzerland.
The Premier League leaders were untouchable and in total control from start to finish, as they convincingly dismantled their Swiss counterparts 4-0 in their CL round of 16 first leg at Jakob Park.
German midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan’s header put the Cityzens ahead in the 14th minute, Bernardo Silva doubled their advantage four minutes later. Top scorer, Sergio Aguero added a third seven minutes before the half hour mark to hand City a comfortable lead heading into the break.
Three became four eight minutes after the restart, that man again, Gundogan, completing his brace in the 53rd minute to make it 4-0.
City could have scored more goals but return to England with a comfortable lead, and one leg into the next phase for just the second time in their history.
For Basel, they have a mountain to climb when both sides meet again for the second leg at the Etihad next month.
Meanwhile, while City were taking care of Basel, their PL rivals, Tottenham, were also doing the league proud in Turin, where they held Italian champions, Juventus to a draw.
Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen were on target, as Spurs came from two goals down to record a brilliant 2-2 against the Old Ladys in the CL round of 16 first leg.
Juve hadn’t lost at home in Europe in 26games and quickly settled into the game when Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in the opening ten minutes, including a penalty, to put the home side 2-0 up.
However, Kane pulled one back for Spurs before the break, but Higuain had an opportunity to restore Juve’s two goal lead in the second half as the hosts were handed a second penalty.
But the former Napoli man struck his kick onto the bar, and he was made to regret that miss when Eriksen drew Spurs level courtesy of a beautifully taken free kick in the 71st minute.
The result see Spurs head into the second leg in Wembley as favourites to go through.
Full. Results
Basel 0-4 Man. City
Juventus 2-2 Spurs
