Man City Square
Fansided

Porto 0-0 Manchester City: City finish top

By J.C. Gonzalez

PORTO, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 01: Otavio Edmilson da Silva of Porto competes for the ball with Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between FC Porto and Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao on December 01, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. Sporting stadiums around Portugal remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 01: Otavio Edmilson da Silva of Porto competes for the ball with Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Group C stage match between FC Porto and Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao on December 01, 2020 in Porto, Portugal. Sporting stadiums around Portugal remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In a rather uneventful match, Manchester City sealed top spot in their Champions League group with a 0-0 draw against Porto.

Having already sealed qualification to the knockout stage, there was very little on the line for Manchester City during their trip to second-place Porto. In a frustrating game, City had the possession, but were able to do little with it outside of a disallowed Gabriel Jesus goal in the second half.

Both teams have secured passage to the last 16, so the only thing to play for was top spot and a theoretically easier draw. City still fielded a strong side, but managed to do enough to ensure that Porto cannot catch them on the head-to-head tiebreaker used in the Champions League, even if City lose their final group game next week against Marseille and Porto beat Olympiacos.

More from Game Review

City held 67% of the ball and managed 13 shots to 1 for Porto, with 5 on target for the Blues. Nevertheless, the job is now finished, and Pep Guardiola can afford to play younger players and rotate in the next match entering one of the busiest parts of the season.

Overall, it may not have been an inspiring performance or stellar European away night, but City got the job done and are ready for the draw. They were handed an easy group, but took full advantage and have done everything they can to land a favorable draw heading into the knockouts. Progressing in the Champions League is never an easy task, and it should not be overlooked, even for a team of this quality. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done moving forward.