Conte facing
IF PEP GUARDIOLA was not elated enough after the Manchester derby victory, then the Champions League draw gave him a further boost after City bagged arguably the easiest tie in the last 16 – against Basle.
City have never faced the Swiss champions before but across town at Old Trafford they know all about them.
United have met Basle six times in the Champions League group stages, in 2002, 2012 – when they knocked Sir Alex Ferguson’s team out – and again this season. And although Basle were beaten 3-0 by United in the opening group game in September, Guardiola will have noted their shock 1-0 victory in the return at St Jakob Park, a result that continued a good record against English clubs in Europe, including notable wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, insists City will not be complacent despite being installed as new favourites to win the competition, How Tottenham would take the same outcome again, though they are away first against a Juventus side who, in June in Cardiff, were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in last season’s final. Coached by Massimiliano Allegri, Spurs will have to find a way past a legend in their goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, below. Buffon, who is 40 on January 28, is seeking a fairy-tale ending to his career after three times suffering defeat in the Champions League final. Juventus are once again leaning heavily on their defence. They kept clean sheets in three of their six Group D matches, including a goalless draw with group winners Barcelona. Allegri can’t wait, knowing what an occasion the away leg will be. He tweeted: “Wembley, one of the sacred temples of this sport. “Spurs are young and talented but if we are Juve, we will do it!” although he does believe Guardiola’s squad is good enough to lift the trophy for the first time. He said: “We have to respect Basle and we have to be careful. We showed against Napoli that we can do well home or away. We had to fight to qualify and to win the group and I think we’ve shown the character and personality needed to do well in the Champions League.” Basle, managed by former Swiss international Raphael Wicky, finished runners-up to United in Group A with four wins and two defeats and lie second behind Young Boys in the Swiss League. A danger man is 20-year-old top scorer Albian Ajeti, left, a product of the club’s academy who has scored eight times in eight league games this season. He has been ably supported by former Norwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who has seven goals in nine games.