Manchester City Cruise Past Borussia Monchengladbach To Reach Champions League Quarterfinals
Manchester City have cruised into Champions league quarterfinals after winning 2-0 in the second leg of their last-16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night.
Citizens (Manchester City) have now kept the hope of four different trophies alive with victory over the German side – EFL Cup, English Premier League Title, English FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and IIkay Gundogan added to the 2-0 win the first leg tie and secured them a spot in Friday’s Champions league draw.
Meanwhile, Monchengladbach have now lost their seven last games in a row in all competitions, their worst run since losing eight in a row between September and November 1989.
The German side had a sight of goal in the opening 10 minutes. Breel Embolo’s deflected shot was tipped over the post by the fingertips of Manchester City goalkeeper, Ederson.
Manchester City took the lead in the 12th minute in an emphatic fashion, Riyahd Mahrez skipped away from two defenders before passing the ball to De Bruyne. The Belgian hammered a shot onto the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net on his 45th Champions League appearance.
The Citizens doubled their lead soon after as Phil Foden drove through the midfield before playing a superb diagonal pass to a free Gundogan waiting in the box. The Germany International midfielder curled the ball sweetly around the oncoming Monchengladbach goalkeeper, Sommer. It was Gundogan’s 11th goal in all competitions since the turn of the year.
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne looked to have scored again when he delivered a stunning free-kick, but an acrobatic save from Sommer stopped City from scoring their third.
Speaking after the game, Manchester City Boss, Pep Guardiola had this to say;
Sometimes it looks very easy afterwards. It was a good performance, under control for the 90 minutes and we arrived here with a good result [from the first leg], but this competition is tricky.
We are so serious and after the two magnificent goals, it was easier but the way we played was really good. Everyone in their positions, we moved the ball quick… and there are a lot of good players with good quality who don’t lose the ball. That is what we need… Everyone was so committed and [we are] delighted to be in the next stage.
Guardiola futher said;
What happened in the past is in the past. In the quarter-finals, one bad game, bad minutes, bad moments, they can punish you. The quality right now with all the teams will be so big.
In the previous seasons, I didn’t see a team that didn’t want to make a step forward. Every time we play, even in the group stage or last 16, we want to go through. After the international break, we have time to think – it depends on the draw of the team – but now, the best teams in Europe, the quality is higher every time and it is more difficult.
He added;
Hopefully the team can maintain this mood, we can compete and especially play a good game. I believe that when you go through, you deserve it and you have to play good games so we arrive there and try to play good enough. We’ll see what happens.