Manchester City fires loud warning shots to those in the Champions League

Manchester City have established themselves as a Champions League favourite following a 5-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese capital, setting the bar high for the Premier League clubs following their act.

One side played a training match while the other couldn’t wait for the final whistle to be blown. Manchester City got off to a flying start from the kickoff and never once took their foot off the gas. Yes, Sporting were wasteful with their chances, but they were superbly limited to a measly three chances at goal — all of which were off target.

This displayed City’s total dominance over the entire pitch, winning everything in the middle of the park, second balls and all, but surprisingly capping off their first clean sheet of the competition. They gave little for Sporting Lisbon to play with and snuffed almost everything out effortlessly.

This was also the third time in the Champions League this season that Man City have scored five goals or more (RB Leipzig 6-3; Club Brugge 5-1). They now also became the fastest team to score 200 goals in the tournament and the only team to lead by four or more in the first 45 minutes of an away game.

The home side ended the 90 minutes with no corners collected, no shots hitting the target, as little as 36% possession of the ball and was limited to 384 passes. They were just simple outclassed and outplayed by a team light years ahead of them.

A brilliant brace from Bernardo Silva, a sterling striker from Raheem and two tap ins by Riyaz Marez and Phil Foden made sure there is no coming back for Sporting on Tuesday night, as well as in the second leg in three weeks from now.

Does Manchester City want the Champions League trophy more?

It is no secret that after Manchester City’s thumping victory and the flawless group stage run of Liverpool (winning all and losing none, the first English team to do it) has pegged the pair of English clubs as the biggest favourites — with Paris Saint-Germain’s “dream team” and current holders and Club World Cup champs, Chelsea, the next favourites.

But Pep and his boys must decide if this is the trophy they desire or if winning the Premier League in back-to-back seasons for the second time under Guardiola, is the priority. Already out of the Carabao Cup, a cup where they experienced a lot of joy in recent years, gives them extra motivation to still chase a treble-winning campaign.

Although, Pep has taken the time to recognise Liverpool and their dominance this season, and has tagged them:

"Pep Guardiola was asked which team could catch Man City in both the Premier League and the Champions League.Pep Guardiola has labelled Liverpool as a “pain in the a**” for his Manchester City team.The Reds are still fighting for the Premier League title, with a nine-point gap separating them in second place from leaders Man City, who have played one game more.Liverpool are still also fighting for all three cup tournaments this season, with the final of the Carabao Cup later this month as well as the fifth round of the FA Cup a few days later. (Via: liverpoolecho.co.uk)"

All English clubs currently in the competition, barring Manchester United, are in the running for three or more trophies. This is a season to take all the bragging rights as the best English team in the world, with all of them still in the running for major honours.

Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Ralf Rangnick have a tough act to follow and are doing it against stiff competition. Liverpool are the first of the lot and they take on Serie A champions Inter Milan at the San Siro.

The Cityzens have fired loud shots but this is the one that has persisted to elude them throughout Pep’s tenure and is the trophy they should be after — runners-up just won’t be good enough this time around.