Football News: Despite a dull 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City’s regular walk into the Champions League quarter-finals is cause for joy. The English champions completed their hard work with a 5-0 triumph in the Portuguese city three weeks ago, advancing to the final eight for the sixth consecutive season. “It’s a positive indicator,” Guardiola added. “The club has gradually matured over the last decade. Every season, they compete in this competition, qualifying for the final 16 and eventually making it to the top eight teams in Europe.”
Despite the billions poured by the club’s Abu Dhabi owners, City are on track to win their fourth Premier League title in five seasons, but the Champions League remains out of reach.
Guardiola is well aware that his legacy in Manchester will be determined by his ability to ultimately make City European winners.
He does not believe, however, that the success of simply becoming a regular contender should be underestimated.
“I celebrate every year when we qualify for the Champions League that night because I know how difficult it is,” he continued.
“When you make it to the last 16, I’m ecstatic. Now it’s time to congratulate everyone, turn our attention to the Premier League, and wait to see who we’ll be drawn with.”
Sporting will face a considerably greater test in the final eight, as they travel to the Etihad to prevent another humiliating defeat like the one they suffered on home soil.
“After the result of the first game the tie became practically impossible,” said Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan.
“The team was better defensively, and they didn’t play with the same clarity either. We leave satisfied.”
With a number of defenders absent due to injury, illness, or suspension, Guardiola gave a European debut to teenage right-back CJ Egan-Riley.
Despite the absence of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Riyad Mahrez from the start, City should have won the game convincingly.
The England international failed to lift the ball over Adan from Phil Foden’s stunning through ball, squandering the best of the home side’s chances.
After a quiet first half, City felt they had taken the lead early in the second stanza when Gabriel Jesus scored.
Mahrez, who came on at halftime, dashed into the box and slotted the ball into the left-footed Brazilian.
Jesus scored from a close angle, but the goal was ruled out due to offside after a VAR review.
Guardiola summed up the situation when he replaced Ederson 17 minutes from time with 36-year-old goalie Scott Carson, who had not played in the Champions League since 2005.
With Sporting’s finest chance just moments later, Carson was called into action to valiantly block Pedro Porro.
Late chances to break the deadlock were wasted by Mahrez, John Stones, and Sterling, but Sporting salvaged some pride by holding out for a clean sheet.
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