Gundogan puts ‘perfect’ City on easy street

Ilkay Gundogan says there is still more to come from Manchester City after their “perfect” 4-0 rout of Basel left them on the verge of the Champions League quarter-finals.

The runaway Premier League leaders destroyed Basel’s morale with a three-goal burst after just 23 minutes of the first leg last-16 mismatch.

City’s first three goals came in a devastating nineminute spell thanks to a header from Gundogan, a Bernardo Silva volley and a long-range Sergio Aguero strike. It was Aguero’s 14th goal in 11 games in 2018.

Gundogan added a fourth after the break and was only denied a hat-trick by the dogged determination of Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.

The tie looks all but settled ahead of the return leg at the Etihad on March 7.

Gundogan says City can do better and he threw down the gauntlet to their Champions League rivals.

“The result was maybe perfect, but there are still plenty of things to improve,” said Gundogan

The 27-year-old German singled out City’s playmaker Kevin de Bruyne for his part in his opening goal.

“I had the opponent on my back so it was not really easy to head it, but the timing was perfect and the ball was perfect from Kevin,” said Gundogan.

Amazing result

Pep Guardiola’s City starved Basel of the ball, enjoying 69-per cent possession. “To win 4-0 away in the last 16 is an amazing result, we are almost in the quarter-finals, but I am not saying we are already there, out of respect for Basel,” said Guardiola.

“We defended well and we were clinical — we had four chances and took them all. If we get to the quarterfinals that is already better than last season and that is the first step for us.”

The Spaniard heaped praise on Gundogan and his midfield teammates, including David Silva, who made a return off the bench after injury.