Ruthless Manchester City make Champions League statement after thrashing Sporting Lisbon
Manchester City just don't know how to take it easy on an opponent. Pep Guardiola’s men have been in blistering form this season and are showing no signs of slowing down.
The Cityzens are currently scoring goals for fun. On Tuesday, they thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 tie.
It was an away game, but the English giants effectively ended the tie at halftime. Within 44 minutes, they had shipped four goals past the Portuguese side without reply.
Manchester City’s ruthlessness in front of goal is even more commendable when you consider the fact that Sporting Lisbon have the best defense in their domestic league. Rúben Amorim's side have conceded only 15 goals in 22 games in the league so far.
#ManCity
FULL-TIME | A superb display! 🤩
🟢 0-5 🔵 #ManCity https://t.co/LtY8ysczKf
Bernardo Silva leads Manchester City rout
Manchester City had four different scorers on Tuesday night. In addition to a Bernardo Silva brace, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling also got on the scoresheet against Sporting Lisbon.
However, Silva was the star of the show. As a former Benfica starlet, it was as if the 27-year-old had taken the game against Sporting personally.
Silva was at the thick of every attacking move initiated by the Cityzens and deservedly ended the game with two well-taken goals.
The away goals rule no longer applies in the UEFA Champions League. However, Guardiola’s side have effectively killed this tie and have all but secured a place in the quarter-finals.
Bernardo Silva's game by numbers vs. Sporting CP:
100% shot accuracy
89% pass accuracy
56 touches
6 final third entries
4 duels won
4 ball recoveries
3 tackles made
2 shots
2 goals
The boy from Benfica. #UCL https://t.co/1OREKbygQh
Cityzens make Champions League statement
Manchester City are favorites to win this year’s Champions League, and it’ll take something special to stop them.
The English giants made a statement when they routed Sporting Lisbon. They maintained 64% possession over their Portuguese opponents during the match. They also had 15 attempts at goal, scoring with five of their six shots on target. Meanwhile, Sporting had only three attempts at goal in the entire game.
Manchester City may have lost out on the UCL trophy to Chelsea last season, but they mean business this time around.
Guardiola surprisingly stated after the game (as quoted by the Guardian):
"The result is a dream, but the performance we can do better. I am absolutely more than delighted. We were so clinical when we arrived to the goal. We have a duty as a manager and team to analyse."
The Cityzens already have a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League and now have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Given their rich vein of form, it will be interesting to see who becomes their next victim.