MAN CITY 1, FC BASEL 1893 2
(Man City won 5-2 on aggregate)
In this season of record-breaking exploits, Manchester City claimed an unwanted one, even though they marched into the semi finals of the Champions League.
City still have to win both games of a two-legged tie in Europe’s elite club competition following their home defeat to FC Basel 1893.
Having said that, the job had already been done following a 4-0 victory in Switzerland and no team had ever lost in the competition from such a position of strength.
This was, however, City’s first home defeat of the season and first loss at the Etihad in 15 months since they were beaten by Chelsea in December 2016.
City manager Pep Guardiola was philosophical in defeat pointing out the club was “so, so happy” for reaching the quarter finals of the Champions League for only the second time in their history.
And the City chief blamed a lack of fluidity on the much-changed line up.
“Today we made a lot of changes whereas in other games it has been one, two, three. We won’t be making as many in the quarter finals,” he said.
Guardiola was satisfied with City’s display in the opening half, but not the second saying there won’t be a repeat in the last eight.
He explained: “In the first half we created chances to win and score a second goal through Ilkay Gundogan.
“In the second half we forgot to attack and pass the ball and were really poor.
“It is not easy to play when you are 4-0 ahead, something we spoke about before the match.
“We won’t have this problem in the quarter finals as we won’t be 4-0 ahead going into the second leg and the rhythm will be different and the team will be stable.”
Basel coach Raphael Wicky, who described City as one of the top two or three teams in the world and one of the favourites for the Champions League, said: “I am very proud of the team in the Champions League, and not only tonight.
“It was a very good performance and I am happy and proud to have won here. I didn’t realise the significance of it being their first home defeat of the season.”
It was all change as Guardiola made six to the starting line up from Sunday’s win against Chelsea.
There was a second start for 17-year-old Phil Foden, who was congratulated by Guardiola for his display, while Yaya Toure was given a rare outing.
Gabriel Jesus made a first start since returning from his injury lay off while Claudio Bravo, Danilo and John Stones all received call ups.
But there was plenty in reserve as on the bench were big hitters Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi and Ederson.
There was one minute’s silence before kick off, a tribute to Fiorentina captain and Italian international Davide Astori who died suddenly at the weekend.
Jesus didn’t take long to make an impact as he found the net in the eighth minute, his third goal in seven matches.
Leroy Sane sprayed a pass to the right where Bernardo Silva crossed the ball for Jesus to slot home his 11th goal of the season and first since November due to an injury lay off. It was also City’s 100th goal in the Champions League.
And it would have been 2-0 but for a great block by keeper Tomas Vaclic to deny Gundogan from inside the six-yard box.
Yet seconds later it was 1-1 after a deflected cross fell invitingly at the feet of Mohamed Elyounoussi who rifled home a low shot from 12 yards.
It was proving a remarkably open game bearing in mind City were so far in front with chances at both ends as both sides could have moved ahead.
The start to the second period was decidedly lukewarm with only the occasional spark.
City made their first change mid-half when Gundogan made way for Brahim Diaz.
Basel remained a threat and stole ahead in the 72nd minute through Michael Lang.
The Swiss side broke and Elyounoussi, a target for Premier League clubs, cut the ball back to Lang who powered a near-post shot into the roof of the net.
City were forced to raise the pace of their game as Sane set up Diaz whose angled shot was saved by the legs of Vaclik.
There was a second City change in the 89th minute when Tosin Adarabioyo replaced Foden who had picked up a knock.
But there was no way back for City in the closing minutes as this was only their fourth loss of the season in all competitions and first at the Etihad.