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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
James Findlater

'Best team in the land and all the world' - Man City fans talk up Champions League chances after Sporting Lisbon rout

Manchester City fans know their side are all-but assured of their quarter-final place in the Champions League – and some are even daring to dream of going all the way.

City took a massive step towards the last eight after demolishing Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the first leg of their tie in Portugal.

A Bernardo Silva double plus goals from Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden practically ended the tie at half-time as City took absolute control in Lisbon.

Raheem Sterling then finished things off in style with a brilliant curling effort in the second half to make it five, and almost assure City of a quarter-final spot with the second leg at the Etihad still to come.

Tell us how far you think City will go in this season’s Champions League below or here

Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to go one better this season, having been beaten by Chelsea in last year’s final, and on current form, they’re certainly justifying their tags as favourites to lift a first European crown.

And even some City fans are starting to believe it could be their year as they target a historic treble.

Sporting travel to the Etihad in three weeks’ time for the second leg, although it looks likely to be a procession with City already looking as though they’re safely through.

Despite the result, Guardiola still wasn’t completely satisfied with his team’s performances in Lisbon.

"Some players under perform,” Guardiola told BT Sport.

“We lost easy balls but today we were so clinical. Every time we arrive in the first 20 minutes we scored. The difference is not 0-5. They attack with lots of players and we punish them with counter-attacks.

"The players know me, we can do better. A few players who didn't do what they have to do in the build-up. I'm incredibly happy, please don't misunderstand me, but we can do better."

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