Manchester City cruise into Champions League quarters despite Sporting stalemate

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s routine stroll into the Champions League quarter-finals is cause for celebration despite a subdued 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday. All the difficult work for the English champions was done with a 5-0 victory in the Portuguese capital three weeks prior as City reached the last eight for the fifth consecutive season. “It’s a good sign,” said Guardiola. “The last decade, step-by-step the club grew up. Every season playing this competition, qualifying for last 16 and now in the best eight teams in Europe.”

Guardiola knows his legacy in City will be judged on whether he can finally make City champions of Europe.

“Every year when we qualify for the Champions League I celebrate it that night because I know how difficult it is,” he added.

“When you qualify for last 16, I celebrate it. Now it’s time to congratulate everyone, focus on the Premier League and see who we get in the draw.”

Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez were also rested from the from the beginning, however, City should in any case have won the match easily.

Mahrez, John Stones, and Sterling all missed chances late on to break the deadlock, but Sporting salvaged some pride by holding out for a clean sheet.