Manchester City vs Basel LIVE: Champions League round-of-16 second leg!
All the latest from the Champions League fixture at The Etihad
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City host Basel in the second leg of their last-16 tie, with Pep Guardiola hopeful that the 4-0 lead held by City from their impressive first leg display will be enough to see them through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
City, who could welcome the return of striker Gabriel Jesus after a lengthy lay-off with injury, are in scintillating form both domestically and in Europe, with their three first half goals in the first-leg in Switzerland attesting to their excellent attacking form.
Basel currently sit second in the Swiss Super League, though they were unable to translate their league form into Europe when they took on City, and with Guardiola able to call on a wide array of attacking and defensive recruits coupled with the league being all but confirmed for the Citizens, the Spaniard will be expected to name a full strength side for the Champions League clash on Wednesday.
With an 18 point lead at the top of the table, prior to United playing Crystal Palace on Monday night, City will be looking at the game against Basel as a routine demolition task, and with the possibility of a treble still on the cards for Guardiola’s side, success on Wednesday night is an important part of their 2017/18 quest for outright domestic and European domination.
Follow the action below with our live blog:
Match preview
It’s a big game for...
Sergio Aguero. Despite a four goal haul against Leicester, Aguero has not scored in three of his last four Premier League games. With the impending return to fitness of Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus, Wednesday night is a chance for Aguero to reassure Guardiola that he is the striker to be leading the line for the Citizens, and having passed 200 goals for the Sky Blues last week, Aguero will be hungry for goals against Basel.
Best stat...
Manchester City are the fifth highest scorers in the 2017/18 Champions League, with 18 goals. Of the five highest scoring teams, Liverpool, PSG, Madrid and Bayern, they have the highest number of different goal-scorers.
Remember when…
In the first ever clash between these two sides in the first leg, City tore apart Basel with a 4-0 victory. Relive the goals, moments and action from the game.
Player to watch…
Kevin De Bruyne. City’s Belgian wizard has been in outstanding form in 2017/18, and he has been showing his pedigree on the stage of Champions League football too. With seven goals and 16 assists in the league, De Bruyne has the ability to shine for Guardiola’s side, and with a habit of stepping up in the big games, Wednesday could yet mark another stunning performance from what has been undoubtedly City’s player of the season.
Past meetings…
- Basel 0 Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 2, B Silva 1, Aguero 1), Champions League, February 2018
Form guide…
- Manchester City: WWLWWW
- Basel: WLWLLL
Odds…
- Manchester City to win: 1/7
- Basel to win: 8/1
- Draw: 18/1
62 mins: Another Juventus substitution. Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner is on for Medhi Benatia as Allegri switches his side to a flat back four for the final third of this encounter.
64 mins: GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1 JUVENTUS 1:
(Agg 3-3)
The substitutions have done the trick and Juventus level the tie! Introduced to the action just seconds earlier, Stephan Lichtsteiner used his energy to get to the byline on the right and cross. Paulo Dybala found himself free inside the area to flick on and there was Gonzalo Higuain to hook the ball home with the outside of his right foot. Tottenham still lead on away goals, but is the momentum now with the Italians?
67 mins: GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1 JUVENTUS 2:
(Agg 3-4)
What a turnaround! Juventus lead on aggregate and have equalled the two away goals Tottenham scored in Turin! Juventus' change in shape and personnel has pulled Tottenham apart, and their two hotshot forwards have taken full advantage. A brilliant turn in midfield from Gonzalo Higuain was bettered only by his through ball to Paulo Dybala that sent the striker one-on-one with Hugo Lloris. Keeping his cool, Dybala waited for the Tottenham keeper to sell himself before firing high into the top right corner. Extraordinary!
70 mins: It's now the travelling supporters who are making all the noise inside Wembley Stadium. A Tottenham goal now would force extra-time, but the home players look shellshocked after that quickfire Juve double.
74 mins: Mauricio Pochettino makes his first tactical move of the night introducing Erik for Eric. It's an attacking substitution that sees Lamela replace Dier.
71 mins: GOAL! MAN CITY 1 BASEL 2: (Agg 5-2)
On the subject of turnarounds, Basel now lead in Manchester thanks to Michael Lang's goal. If the Swiss side net another couple in the next ten minutes or so, it may begin to get interesting.
76 mins: And now the Italian side are doing what Italian sides do best. Fallen into rank, Juventus are keeping Spurs out in numbers, containing them in midfield and not given them any space to find an equaliser. It's going to take a moment of magic to open up the Serie A champions.
79 mins: A brilliant intervention from Giorgio Chiellini! Despite his advancing years, the Italian defender shows great awareness to divert a dangerous left wing cross behind for a corner with Harry Kane lurking. It earns Chiellini a slap of appreciation from his captain, Gianluigi Buffon.
82 mins: The corners are stacking up for Tottenham, but for all their dead ball situations and lengthy spells of possession they cannot find a way behind this staunch Juventus back-four.
Heung-Min Son decides to take matters into his own hands with a long-range drive but it sails past the post and gives Buffon a moment to spur his defence on for a final push.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments