SILVA EARNS CITY A POINT AGAINST GLADBACH
Manchester City confirmed their spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after playing a 1-1 draw against Monchengladbach.
Coach Pep Guardiola would not happy after Fernandinho received marching orders, going the way of the hosts who has been cut down to ten men. The Spaniard would be content with David Silva as his compatriot got the equalizer for the Sky Blues late in the first half.
City can now turn all focus to the Premier League as the next worry would be in February when the knockout stage begins.
“We have qualified with one game left and it’s a big compliment for the team. The sending-off of Fernandinho changed the situation but we drew and we’re in the next round.
“These players are so new in Europe and every time we play a game like this we improve. But we are so, so happy tonight,” the manager said after the game.
With the second spot sealed, City would have a tough opponent in the next stage as it could be any of Paris Saint Germain, Besiktas, Real Madrid, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Sevilla.
“All the teams will be really tough. Bayern Munich is like us, in second position. Four years ago the first round of the Champions League was a little it easier. Today all the teams are so strong and anything can happen,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added.
Vincent Kompany, Nolito, Bacary Sagna and Yaya Toure were the changes Guardiola made from the squad that defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 over the weekend. David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan combined to dictate the pace of the game against the Bundesliga side. Much was left to be desired from defender John Stones as De Araujo Raffael scored in the 23rd minute before Silva’s equalizer late in the first half.