Seven Deadly Stats from Wednesday night's Champions League matches

Aditya Devavrat 07:20 08/03/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Basel brought City's home unbeaten run to an end.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Recommended