Aguero on target in City’s romp to victory

MANCHESTER CITY eased into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 7-0 thrashing of Bundesliga strugglers Schalke at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero began the rout with two strikes late in the first half before the outstanding Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling put the last-16 tie beyond all doubt.

Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus added further gloss as Schalke collapsed to a humiliating 10-2 aggregate defeat that could spell the end for their manager Domenico Tedesco.

City manager Pep Guardiola said: “It was a great result, we’re through to the quarter-finals, we can achieve, one step forward.

“We didn’t start quite well, we were scared to play, and after 1-0, the second goal especially, the team relaxed, decided to play, decided to be aggressive.

“At the moment everybody wants to play, to play at a good level, to be involved, to keep going.”

After scoring his sixth of the season, Foden said: “Every time I come on I try to enjoy my football, focus and improve.

“You’re learning all the time, from the players in the changing room, watching on the sidelines, everywhere learning and improving.”

■ Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita did not travel with the 21-man squad which flew out to Germany for the Champions League last-16, second-leg tie against Bayern Munich.

The Guinea international missed out with a minor injury which forced him to remain on Merseyside.

Defender Trent AlexanderArnold, who was taken off as a precaution during Sunday’s win against Burnley, and midfielder James Milner, who missed that match with a muscle problem, were both included in the travelling party.