City took the lead in the opening 10 minutes through Jesus but Basel put up a fight and turned the game around
Manchester City lost at home for the first time in 15 months as they limped into the Champions League quarter-finals for only the second time.
Michael Lang followed up his winner against Manchester United in the group stage by scoring the clincher to condemn City to their first loss at the Etihad since losing to Chelsea in December 2016 and only their fourth this season.
It had all looked so different when Gabriel Jesus marked his first start since damaging knee ligaments on New Year’s Eve by ending his four-month wait for a goal.
City went to sleep to allow Basel to equalise when Danilo was caught upfield and Blas Riveros crossed for Mohamed Elyounoussi to score.
City got worse as the game wore on and Lang capitalised on their sloppiness to latch on to Elyounoussi’s pass and fire home the winner on 71 minutes.
1. Jesus is back for City
Jesus scored on his first start since damaging knee ligaments on New Year’s Eve against Crystal Palace. Jesus got the nod to lead City’s attack ahead of Sergio Aguero as Pep Guardiola made six changes for what was in effect a dead rubber.
And he took just eight minutes to score when he converted Bernardo Silva’s cross at the back post.
It was Jesus’ first goal since November 18 against Leicester and his 11th of his interrupted campaign.
Guardiola will be delighted to see his Samba star back among the goals as City enter the business end of the season.
2. Foden is carrying more than just his own hopes at City
Foden continued his ascent by making his third start for the Blues tonight.
The 17-year-old operated mainly in the No.10 role and was not overawed by playing in such a pivotal role for City. It’s easy to see why Pep Guardiola rates him and he was tidy in possession.
City will be hoping he can continue to flourish and prove their academy can produce talent.
City’s long-term aim is to become self-sufficient and they need Foden to be the standard bearer for their home-grown players.
3. Guardiola was unimpressed by City’s sloppiness
Guardiola had hammered home to his players the need to be thoroughly professional, even though the tie was effectively over.
He did not want them letting any bad habits creep in, which may prove to be costly in later rounds.
So his irritation was clear when City went to sleep for Basel’s equaliser. Danilo was caught upfield, leaving Blas Riveros the freedom of the Etihad on the left and he evaded Bernardo Silva’s feeble challenge to cross for Mohamed Elyounoussi to score.
He was even less impressed when City allowed Michael Lang to crash home the winner.
4. The end is nigh for Yaya
Toure made his first start in a month against Basel as captain and only his seventh of the season.
He has been relegated to the margins at City as Pep Guardiola’s young, slick side power towards the Premier League title.
Despite him being key to City’s successes since his arrival in 2010, the Blues have moved on and no longer need him.
Toure probably knows this and accepts that he will be leaving when his contract expires in the summer.
But he will still give his all for the club, just like he did tonight.
5. Yellow ribbon night for Guardiola
After covering up his controversial yellow ribbon for City’s last three games to comply with the FA’s rules, the Catalan proudly had it on show tonight.
Guardiola can’t understand why the FA object when UEFA have no problem with him showing his support for the imprisoned politicians and activists back in his home region.
Guardiola is not one for backing down and he plans to keep wearing it for what he claims is a humanitarian rather than political statement.
Michael Lang followed up his winner against Manchester United in the group stage by scoring the clincher to condemn City to their first loss at the Etihad since losing to Chelsea in December 2016 and only their fourth this season.
It had all looked so different when Gabriel Jesus marked his first start since damaging knee ligaments on New Year’s Eve by ending his four-month wait for a goal.
City went to sleep to allow Basel to equalise when Danilo was caught upfield and Blas Riveros crossed for Mohamed Elyounoussi to score.
City got worse as the game wore on and Lang capitalised on their sloppiness to latch on to Elyounoussi’s pass and fire home the winner on 71 minutes.
1. Jesus is back for City
Jesus scored on his first start since damaging knee ligaments on New Year’s Eve against Crystal Palace. Jesus got the nod to lead City’s attack ahead of Sergio Aguero as Pep Guardiola made six changes for what was in effect a dead rubber.
And he took just eight minutes to score when he converted Bernardo Silva’s cross at the back post.
It was Jesus’ first goal since November 18 against Leicester and his 11th of his interrupted campaign.
Guardiola will be delighted to see his Samba star back among the goals as City enter the business end of the season.
2. Foden is carrying more than just his own hopes at City
Foden continued his ascent by making his third start for the Blues tonight.
The 17-year-old operated mainly in the No.10 role and was not overawed by playing in such a pivotal role for City. It’s easy to see why Pep Guardiola rates him and he was tidy in possession.
City will be hoping he can continue to flourish and prove their academy can produce talent.
City’s long-term aim is to become self-sufficient and they need Foden to be the standard bearer for their home-grown players.
3. Guardiola was unimpressed by City’s sloppiness
Guardiola had hammered home to his players the need to be thoroughly professional, even though the tie was effectively over.
He did not want them letting any bad habits creep in, which may prove to be costly in later rounds.
So his irritation was clear when City went to sleep for Basel’s equaliser. Danilo was caught upfield, leaving Blas Riveros the freedom of the Etihad on the left and he evaded Bernardo Silva’s feeble challenge to cross for Mohamed Elyounoussi to score.
He was even less impressed when City allowed Michael Lang to crash home the winner.
4. The end is nigh for Yaya
Toure made his first start in a month against Basel as captain and only his seventh of the season.
He has been relegated to the margins at City as Pep Guardiola’s young, slick side power towards the Premier League title.
Despite him being key to City’s successes since his arrival in 2010, the Blues have moved on and no longer need him.
Toure probably knows this and accepts that he will be leaving when his contract expires in the summer.
But he will still give his all for the club, just like he did tonight.
5. Yellow ribbon night for Guardiola
After covering up his controversial yellow ribbon for City’s last three games to comply with the FA’s rules, the Catalan proudly had it on show tonight.
Guardiola can’t understand why the FA object when UEFA have no problem with him showing his support for the imprisoned politicians and activists back in his home region.
Guardiola is not one for backing down and he plans to keep wearing it for what he claims is a humanitarian rather than political statement.
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