New Delhi:
Manchester City’s impeccable unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium came to an end in a shocking manner as Pep Guardiola’s men were beaten 1-2 by Swiss Champions FC Basel on Wednesday.
The Premier League leaders were 4-0 up from the first leg of the last-16 tie played at St. Jakob-Park, the home of FC Basel. Man City didn’t waste much time in increasing the lead from the first leg as Gabriel Jesus latched on to a Bernardo Silva cross just after eight minutes into the game, marking his first start of 2018 with a goal.
The hosts were in a comfortable space and took their foot off the gas pedal letting Basel come back into the game.
Mohamed Elyounoussi scored the equalizer in less than 10 minutes after Jesus' opener and Michael Lang scored in the second half to send Basel home with a remarkable win.
The Citizens stride into the quarter finals with a 5-2 aggregate win, but manager Pep Guardiola was discontent about how his side approached the game.
"We forgot to attack, we forgot to play, we passed the ball for the sake of passing the ball. Passing the ball means to pass the ball to move the opponents to attack, but to pass for the sake of passing is nothing. In the second half it was really, really poor." Pep said after the match.
City’s last home defeat came on December 3, 2016 when Chelsea (who became Premier League Champions later that season) defeated them 1-3. Since then Guardiola’s Manchester City had gone on a run of 29 wins and seven draws, losing none.
The Premier League leaders will be back in action at The Etihad Stadium on April against arch rivals Manchester United, a match that could see City lift the Premier League title.
