March 10, (THEWILL) – Despite a goalless draw with Sporting CP on Wednesday night, last season’s finalists Manchester City, advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
City earned the right to not push beyond the first gear when they dominated the first leg, winning 5-0 in Lisbon and thus rendering the second game a dead rubber.
The first half passed without incident as the hosts attempted to pass their opponents to death, while Sporting sat deep in an attempt to prevent more humiliation.
When Gabriel Jesus was barged over inside the box nine minutes in, Pep Guardiola’s side could have had a penalty, and probably should have had one, but their pleas were turned down by centre referee Halil Meler and play continued.
Midway through the half, the Brazilian resurfaced to shoot a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but Raheem Sterling was unable to get on the end of it.
With a deflected effort from range, Phil Foden forced a rare save from Antonio Adan, before turning creator with a beautiful pass around the corner for Sterling, but the goalkeeper read his intended dink.
City thought they had taken the lead two minutes into the second half when substitute Riyad Mahrez finally found Jesus at the end of a long run and he squeezed a shot inside the near post. However, the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside after a VAR review.
Guardiola felt compelled to switch first-choice goalkeeper Ederson with his normal third-choice Scott Carson because the game was so quiet. Ironically, the former England goalkeeper was thrust into action almost immediately, denying Paulinho in a one-on-one situation.
In stoppage time, City had two more chances, but could not produce a winner. With the last kick of the game, Sterling pulled a strike into the side-netting after a corner was headed onto the roof of the net by John Stones.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.