Richard Dunne fears for Man City Champions League hopes

Manchester City reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night despite suffering just their fourth defeat of the season at home to Basle.

Taking a 4-0 lead into the second-leg at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s took an eighth minute lead through Gabriel Jesus.

But goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Michael Lang saw the Swiss side claim the spoils on the night, though City still progressed comfortably.

Richard Dunne fears Manchester City’s Champions League hopes have taken a hit

Michael Lang finds the roof of the net to claim a shock win for Basle in the second leg

Michael Lang finds the roof of the net to claim a shock win for Basle in the second leg

Guardiola made a number of changes, resting key players Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Sergio Augero and Richard Dunne fears it will harm their chances of progressing further in the competition.

‘For me it’s a bit of a warning, if City go on and win the league in the next couple of weeks if they take their foot off the pedal it’s difficult to go again,’ he said on BT Sport 3 after the game.

‘When the Champions League comes around you’ve got to be at 100 per cent or you just drop a little bit and you see what happened to them tonight.’

He continued: ‘Players who played had something to prove tonight, they should have been up for it. 

Pep Guardiola rang the changes after taking a 4-0 lead into the return leg in Manchester

Pep Guardiola rang the changes after taking a 4-0 lead into the return leg in Manchester

 Bernardo Silva, Yaya Toure and Ilkay Gundogan were part of a much-changed City team

 Bernardo Silva, Yaya Toure and Ilkay Gundogan were part of a much-changed City team

‘There should have been more intensity in the game but it was just sloppy at times in defence, the way they passed the ball out, they gave it away too easy. 

‘For City to go on and win the Champions League it’s going to need the whole squad on top form, so their confidence will have taken a knock today. He’ll want them in training everyday being sharp, being intense pushing the other lads. 

‘Today they didn’t put any pressure on the other players in the team, their positions seem safe. You imagine the back two and a couple of others will always be second-choice now for the remainder of the season.’

City need only four more wins to wrap up the league title and after facing Stoke on Monday night have a 19-day break before they return to action at the end of the month.

Owen Hargreaves believes Guardiola's changes affected City in the second leg on Wednesday

Owen Hargreaves believes Guardiola’s changes affected City in the second leg on Wednesday

They must wait until next Friday to discover their last eight opponents, and Owen Hargreaves believes there will be plenty for Guardiola to work on.

‘The changes really affected Manchester City, they looked more vulnerable than they normally do.

‘It takes the edge off, when you win 4-0 it’s difficult. Players getting game time which is great, young players as well, but defensively they looked a bit shaky and I think that will concern Pep the most. Second half they didn’t create much offensively.’



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