Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s routine stroll into the Champions League quarter-finals is cause for celebration despite a subdued 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday. 

All the hard work for the English champions was done with a 5-0 win in the Portuguese capital three weeks ago as City reached the Last 8 for the fifth consecutive season. “It’s a good sign,” said Guardiola. “The last decade, step-by-step the club grew up. Every season playing this competition, qualifying for Last 16 and now in the best eight teams in Europe.”