Basel came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 in their round of 16 second-leg Champions League encounter on Wednesday evening at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s men went into the game with a comfortable 5-0 aggregate lead. And as expected the Spaniard manager fielded a much-changed starting line-up.

The Citizens were quick to add to their lead as they opened the scoring with just seven minutes gone. After an intricate run, Leroy Sane played the ball out wide to Bernardo Silva, whose driven cross was met at the back post by Gabriel Jesus who had a tap-in.

City continued to push forward and both Silva and İlkay Gundogan had chances to double their side’s lead but were denied by some good goalkeeping and resolute defending.

Although the English side started strong, Basel remained a threat on the counter-attack and with 26 minutes on the clock, the Swiss side hit back. Riveros Galeano’s driving run created space out wide and his deflected cross fell to Mohamed Elyounoussi who smashed the ball past Claudio Bravo in the City goal.

Guardiola’s team continued in their normal fashion but failed to take the lead before halftime, 1-1 at the break.

The second half soon fell into the same pattern as the first, the home side with all the possession but just as in the first Raphael Wicky’s men looked dangerous on the break.

Just when it looked as though Basel were beginning to tire, they took the lead. A good run by Elyounoussi dragged the City defenders out of shape and his reverse pass expertly found Michael Lang, who despite the tight angle, rifled his strike past Bravo, 2-1 after 71 minutes.

The Citizens continued to push forward but just could not break down their opponents, 2-1 the final score.

Basel with a terrific come from behind victory but it is Manchester City who goes through to the quarter-final with a comfortable 6-2 aggregate win.

Photo: Mike Egerton/Backpagepix