Two identical results in the Champions League on Wednesday night had vastly different impact. While Manchester City‘s 2-1 loss at home to Basel was inconsequential – though no less impressive, from the Swiss champions’ point of view – Spurs’ home loss to Juventus by the same scoreline meant their European campaign ended in heartbreak.
In both matches, the English side took the lead before losing, with Spurs’ inability to hold their advantage costing them a place in the quarterfinals.
Here are Seven Deadly Stats from Wednesday’s matches.
THE SCOURGE OF ENGLAND
Basel boast a proud record against English sides over recent seasons. Just beating Manchester City away from home is an achievement in itself, but for the Swiss side, it simply kept up a track record of success against the Premier League’s best.
Since 2013, Basel have now won individual matches against Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool & Chelsea, plus defeated Tottenham over 2 legs.
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) March 7, 2018
They have ended Man City's run of 36 home games without defeat #UCL pic.twitter.com/v7GWH5fxuh
JUVE’S ONE-TWO PUNCH KNOCKS OUT TOTTENHAM
Spurs had one foot in the door of the quarter-finals after dominating Juventus in the first-half and taking a 1-0 lead. Even at the hour mark, they looked in control. But seven minutes later, they were down and out.
02:49 - Juventus have scored with their first two shots on target in this match, with just two minutes & 49 seconds separating the two goals. Quickfire. #TOTJUV
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2018
CITY PASS, PASS, PASS, BUT LOSE
City produced a repeat of Sunday’s performance against Chelsea in one way – their passing stat was yet again a record. Of course, it meant much less on Wednesday as Basel took the victory anyway, which just goes to show how poor Chelsea were.
978 - Manchester City completed 978 passes tonight; the most recorded by a side in a Champions League match since 2003-04 (when we have this data available from), three days after having the most in a Premier League game (902 v Chelsea). Robotic.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2018
ALLEGRI GETS HIS REVENGE
Massimiliano Allegri was the opposing manager the last time Spurs won their Round of 16 tie – back in 2011, when Tottenham beat Allegri’s side 1-0 on aggregate, winning the away leg before drawing at home. Revenge is sweet.
Massimiliano Allegri has now beaten Tottenham as a manager for the first time in his career:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 7, 2018
4 games
2 draws
1 loss
1 win
Hex broken. pic.twitter.com/XwVQBzCVcU
LAPORTE, THE PERFECT PEP SIGNING
There’s a reason Pep Guardiola pursued Aymeric Laporte for so long before finally signing him. The Manchester City defender’s ability on the ball stood out yet again on Wednesday. If only he and his fellow defenders hadn’t conceded twice.
Aymeric Laporte: Completed 160 passes against Basel this evening, a record in a Champions League match this season #UCL pic.twitter.com/irOHu6ZjjC
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 7, 2018
HIGUAIN FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
Everyone thinks Gonzalo Higuain is the sort of player who wilts under pressure, and for a good part of his career, that criticism could easily be justified. Not anymore. When Juventus needed him most, he delivered, yet again.
Gonzalo Higuaín: Has scored five goals in his last five Champions League knockout matches, three more than he managed in his previous 24 matches #UCL
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 7, 2018
AN UNLIKELY PAIR
City’s dominance at home is such that it’s difficult for opposing sides to even get a sniff, making Basel’s feat on Wednesday all the more impressive. They ended City’s 36-game home unbeaten run and joined a surprise club by scoring twice.
Only two teams have scored more than once in a competitive fixture at the Etihad this season:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 7, 2018
Stoke
Basel https://t.co/XEfso0M2jK #UCL pic.twitter.com/ONYrT79PNm