Champions League: Talking points from Basel blow

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City and FC Basel at Etihad Stadium on March 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Leroy Sane of Manchester City holds off pressure from Marek Suchy (L) and Michael Lang (R) of FC Basel during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City and FC Basel at Etihad Stadium on March 7, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Possession Over Progression:

I had said earlier on in the article that Manchester City managed 978 successful passes during last nights game. In the second half it seemed as if City had forgotten how to go forward, with just three shots on target all game. Two of those, I believe, came in the opening twenty minutes.

78% possession says we had enough of the ball, but three shots on target (seven total) means we didn’t get forward nearly enough to test the FC Basel defence. Pep Guardiola wasn’t impressed with the performance and, analysing the game as a one-off, no one with a City affiliation should be.

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