Manchester City booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite losing 2-1 to Basel in the second leg of their last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium.
City entered the match with a 4-0 advantage from the first leg in Switzerland, and triumphed 5-2 on aggregate to ease into the final eight.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City welcome Basel for the second leg of their last-16 tie. City won 4-0 in the first leg last month, and it would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of sport if the English side did not finish the job in front of their own supporters tonight. Imagine it! Stay tuned!
6.49pmThe first leg proved to be the first ever meeting between City and Basel in European competition, but the Swiss outfit have taken on Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in recent seasons. Basel have actually played against English opposition on 29 occasions – winning seven, drawing eight and losing 14 of those fixtures. They have a job on to stop that record becoming 7-8-15.
6.52pmIn truth, City were far too good for Basel in Switzerland last month. Ilkay Gundogan netted twice for Pep Guardiola's side, while Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero were also on the scoresheet for the Citizens. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...
6.55pmTEAMS!
MAN CITY: Bravo; Danilo, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Toure; B.Silva, Foden, Sane; Jesus
BASEL: Vaclik; Lang, Lacroix, Suchy, Riveros; Frei, Serey Die; Bua, Zuffi, Elyounoussi; Oberlin
6.58pmCity boss Guardiola has made six changes to the team that started against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Claudio Bravo is handed a spot between the sticks, while Danilo and John Stones return to the back four. Further forward, there is a rare start for Yaya Toure, while 17-year-old Phil Foden is also in the XI. The final change sees Gabriel Jesus replace Sergio Aguero at the tip of the attack.
© SilverHub
7.02pmAs for Basel, Taulant Xhaka - brother of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka - misses out for the visitors through suspension, but Dimitri Oberlin keeps his spot at the tip of the attack. There is a spot at the back for Leo Lacroix, while Mohamed Elyounoussi and Kevin Bua are both handed attacking roles.
7.05pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff at the Etihad Stadium. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with City, who will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
7.08pm
9 - Leroy Sané has been involved in nine goals (four goals, five assists) in 12 competitive appearances for Manchester City in 2018 so far. Exciting. pic.twitter.com/NycPFdbBE7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2018
7.12pmCity sit 16 points clear of second-placed Man United at the top of the Premier League table, and landed the EFL Cup trophy late last month with a 3-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley. Since losing 1-0 at Wigan Athletic in the last-16 stage of the FA Cup, City have beaten Arsenal twice, in addition to overcoming Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium last time out. Guardiola's side are in brilliant form.
7.15pmCity have actually only won one of their four last-16 ties in this competition. Indeed, they have lost to Monaco and Barcelona (twice), with their last success coming against Dynamo Kiev during the 2015-16 season. In truth, City could have drawn a real powerhouse at this stage, and with respect to Basel, there is no question that Guardiola would have been pleased with the draw.
7.18pmCity booked their spot in the last-16 by topping Group F ahead of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. The Citizens won five of their six group matches – collecting 15 points. They were extremely impressive in a section that also included Napoli and Feyenoord, but the Premier League side did lose 2-1 at Shakhtar in their final match of the group stage. Can Basel beat them tonight?
7.22pm
The blue boys! 🔵 #cityvfcb pic.twitter.com/JTV0XIG5oc
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 7, 2018
7.25pmThe Citizens are unbeaten in their last 13 home fixtures in the Champions League – recording 10 wins in the process. What's more, City have never failed to win a European tie after triumphing in the first leg, and there have been eight such contests. If Basel somehow progress tonight then it would be one of the shocks in the history of the world in any sense let alone in sport.
7.28pmAs for Basel, the Swiss outfit will enter this match having lost each of their last three in all competitions. They are second in their domestic table, but sit 14 points off league leaders Young Boys, who also beat them in the Swiss Cup semi-final late last month. It has not been a good few weeks for Basel.
7.32pmBasel beat Man United 1-0 in Switzerland on matchday five, which allowed them to end Group A in second position. A total of 12 group points proved their highest total in a Champions League group stage, but they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Man United when they made the trip to Old Trafford.
7.35pm
Gabriel Jesus starts for the first time in 2018 for Manchester City; Basel defender Marek Suchý makes his 100th appearance in UEFA club competition.#UCL pic.twitter.com/79cZSE9Xop
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 7, 2018
7.38pmBasel have only won one of their previous 14 away matches to English opposition in Europe, and have only progressed from one of their five two-legged knockout ties with teams from the Premier League. They would have wanted to enter the second leg with the tie still open for discussion, but a 4-0 defeat in the first leg has made this match a bit of a dead rubber, which is a big shame.
7.42pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Etihad Stadium. What type of match will we get tonight? Stay tuned to find out what occurs!
0 minKICKOFF! City kick things off at the Etihad Stadium...
2 min... it must be said that the Basel supporters are creating a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. The City section is not full, but the away fans are full of voice in the early exchanges. You do get the feeling that this could be a very, very tough night for the travelling Swiss outfit.
4 minIt has been a decent start from the visitors, with Die and Zuffi enjoying possession in the middle of the park. Oberlin had some bright moments in the first leg, and his pace could certainly upset City's back four tonight. Just a reminder that City have a 4-0 advantage in this last-16 European tie.
6 minNot too much to report in the opening six minutes of the match, with neither side threatening to make the breakthrough. Foden has been able to get on the ball on a couple of occasions though, and it is a very special night for the 17-year-old. Pretty uneventful first six minutes at the Etihad Stadium.
8 minElyounoussi comes close to meeting a through pass from Zuffi, but Bravo is on hand to claim. Basel have shown decent intent in possession, with Riveros and Lang breaking forward from the back.
8 minGOAL! Man City 1-0 Basel (Jesus)
9 minCity make the breakthrough in the eighth minute of the match as Bernardo Silva delivers a low cross towards the far post, and Jesus has the simple task of tapping into the back of the net.
10 minSane, who has been in stunning form, played his part in the goal as he danced past a host of challenges before feeding Bernardo Silva. City lead 5-0 on aggregate in this last-16 tie.
11 minCHANCE! Big chance for the away side to hit back as Die takes the ball away from Zinchenko before striking towards goal, but his effort was always too high.
13 minCity have a couple of half-chances in quick succession, but Bernardo Silva sees his close-range effort blocked before Danilo's strike is deflected over the crossbar. Plenty happening at the moment.
15 minElyounoussi attempts to meet a through pass from Zuffi, but Bravo again does well to make the clearance after leaving his goal. Basel have shown intent in the opening 15 minutes of this match.
16 minHalf-chance for the home side as Bernardo Silva works space in a wide area before delivering towards the head of Jesus, but Suchy manages to clear behind. Still 1-0 to the hosts here.
17 minGOAL! Man City 1-1 Basel (Elyounoussi)
18 minBasel strike back! The visitors level on the night as Elyounoussi smashes the ball home from inside the Man City box after good work from Zuffi in a wide position. Guardiola is furious!
21 minNot too much to report in the last two or three minutes, with Basel quite comfortable. The Swiss side are playing with freedom, and City have not really responded to the equalising goal here.
23 minPass, pass, pass from City as they look to work the ball into dangerous positions. Basel, however, are quite comfortable as they sit deep before attempting to threaten on the counter-attack.
25 minThe Basel supporters are still full of noise - they have not stopped singing since arriving at the Etihad. Their team is playing pretty well as Lang gets across to block a Sane cross. Sane has been comfortably the best player on the pitch in the opening 25 minutes. What a player he is.
27 minDecent possession for Basel in the last couple of minutes as they knock the ball around in the middle of the park. If only the Swiss side had played like this in the first leg last week.
29 minSane works the ball into a dangerous position and Gundogan threatens to pull the trigger, but Frei is on hand to make the clearance. All City at the moment as they pin Basel to their own penalty box.
31 minCHANCE! Big chance for City as Sane dances past the challenge of Vaclik before feeding Gundogan, but the German sees his effort blocked by Frei. Sane again. Just excellent.
32 minOberlin hits the side-netting with a free kick from distance.
32 minCHANCE! Big chance for the away side as Elyounoussi danced into the City box before looking to tap home, but the attacker just loses his balance at the vital moment, and fires wide!
34 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Basel have given a really good account of themselves tonight. There is no question that the visitors deserve to be level at this stage of the match.
36 minSane is again causing trouble in a wide area as the German dances past a couple of challenges before delivering, but his cross is over the crossbar. Lang is having a tough time down that side.
38 minDie has shown some really good stuff for Basel tonight, but the midfielder's final pass has been poor. Oberlin again finds space between the two City centre-backs, but Die cannot find the number 19. Still 1-1, and it is no more than Basel deserve as we approach the half-time break here.
40 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Basel are quite comfortable at the moment as they continue to resist the pressure. Sane and Silva have been City's best players in the first half.
41 minSAVE! Bravo has to keep out a low strike from Riveros!
43 minCity's high line is being tested by Basel, who have plenty of pace in the final third of the field. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with 43 minutes on the clock.
45 minBOOKING! Lacroix (Basel) is booked for a poor challenge on Gabriel Jesus.
45 min+1There is concern over Gabriel Jesus here as the striker stays down following that challenge.
45 min+2Gabriel Jesus is back on his feet as we approach the half-time whistle.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Man City 1-1 Basel (Man City lead 5-1 on aggregate)
8.33pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Gabriel Jesus sent City ahead with a close-range finish in the eighth minute, but Basel levelled the scores in the 17th minute through Elyounoussi. The visitors have played really well at the Etihad.
8.38pmSTATISTICS! City dominated the first-half possession with 70%, while they had six attempts, but just two of those were on target. Basel, meanwhile, also hit the target with two of their six attempts. City incredibly completed 550 passes in the first half, with Basel on 197 for the first 45 minutes.
8.43pmBENCH WATCH! Aguero, De Bruyne, Otamendi and Walker are all on a very strong City bench tonight. The home side currently have a 5-1 aggregate lead, and they are marching into the quarter-finals. Basel, meanwhile, have the likes of Ajeti, Petretta, Stocker and Van Wolfswinkel in reserve.
46 minRESTART! Basel resume the action here...
46 min... no changes from either side at the break, which his not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
48 minI suspect that Guardiola would have been unhappy with certain aspects of City's first-half performance. Basel had a lot of joy on the counter-attack, with City's back four very high.
50 minBernardo Silva and Foden combine down the right, but Basel again do well to close the space. De Bruyne and Aguero have both been sent to warm up here, which is not great news for the visitors.
52 minCity are dominating the ball at the moment, but Basel are not overly concerned as they continue to shuffle across the pitch. The Swiss side can be delighted with their performance thus far tonight.
54 minNot too much to report at the moment as City pass the ball without really going anywhere. The tempo is not that high to be honest, with Basel just sitting deep and defending their box.
56 minBua dinks a clever cross into the City box, but Stones just about manages to beat Oberlin to the ball. First real sign of intent from Basel since the second period started at the Etihad Stadium.
58 minLittle over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and not much is happening to be honest. It is a bit like the Liverpool game last night. City know that they are breezing into the quarter-finals, and the intensity is not really there. Basel have a good chance to pick up a win in this match.
60 minElyounoussi breaks clear for the visitors, but the offside flag is raised.
62 minCity are managing this football match, which is the kind way of saying not too much is happening. It has been a pretty rotten second period to be honest. Absolutely nothing of note has occurred.
63 minCity have a free kick in a dangerous area as Suchy brings Sane to the deck...
64 min... Bernardo Silva delivers into the Basel box, but Frei makes the clearance.
66 minThe home side's supporters are becoming restless as the match heads for its final 25 minutes with City not too interested in searching for a second goal. Someone needs to take this game.
67 minCITY SUB! Diaz replaces Gundogan for the home side.
68 minBASEL SUB! Bua is replaced by Stocker for the away side.
71 minLittle under 20 minutes of the second period remaining, and Diaz has settled in nicely for the home side. City have been poor in the second period, however, with Basel extremely comfortable here.
72 minGOAL! Man City 1-2 Basel (Lang)
73 minIncredible! Basel take the lead in the 72nd minute of this match as Lang fires into the top corner from a tight angle after smart work from Elyounoussi. Big moment for the visitors here!
74 minBASEL SUB! Van Wolfswinkel replaces Oberlin for the away side.
76 minGuardiola is not happy man at the moment as he scowls on the touchline. City have been poor tonight there is no getting away from that. Basel, on the other hand, have been brilliant.
77 minBOOKING! Gabriel Jesus (Man City) is booked for a late tackle on Lang.
79 minThe Basel supporters are in wonderful voice as we approach the final 10 minutes of this football match. City are marching into the quarter-finals, but the Premier League leaders have been poor tonight there is no getting away from that. Can the visitors hold on in the final stages here?
82 minLang almost breaks into the City box once again as Basel press forward, but Laporte just about manages to make the clearance. Sane then breaks down the other end, and Diaz sees his effort saved by the Basel goalkeeper. This is better in terms of entertainment!
84 minLacroix just about manages to clear a low cross from Sane as Basel resist the pressure. You sense that City will have chances to level and indeed win it in the final five minutes or so here.
86 minCity are having all of the ball at the moment, but Basel are doing well to resist the pressure.
88 minBasel's five-man defence is very deep at the moment as City continue to press forward. The home side are preparing to make another change as we enter the final exchanges of this contest.
90 minCITY SUB! Foden is replaced by Adarabioyo for the home side.
90 min+1We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the match.
90 min+2Basel are going to win this - what an effort from the Swiss club!
90 min+3FULL-TIME: Man City 1-2 Basel (Man City win 5-2 on aggregate)
9.36pmSo there we have it. Basel win 2-1 on the night, but City book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 5-2 aggregate success. What a performance from the visitors! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
