For so long, these seemed to be football games that were destined for home comforts.
Sports betting fans knew Man City had no need to worry about their clash with Swiss underdogs Basel, that tie was already over.
But could my betting tips prove correct in that Spurs were also ready to make a statement of intent across Europe by sending last year’s beaten finalists Juventus packing.
It seemed that way and then…
Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 (3-4 on agg) Juventus
Perhaps it looked too straightforward.
Spurs led, deservedly, through the fine Son Heung-Min and Juventus were in trouble.
They were struggling to get to grips with the South Korean livewire and needed to score twice at Wembley to have any chance of avoiding, by their standards, an early exit.
The better team was in front and the Italian champions needed a change in fortune.
A double substitution from boss Max Allegri provided it and, before you could blink, the tie had completely turned on its head.
With virtually his first touch, Stephan Lichsteiner put in a cross which the prolific Gonzalo Higuain converted.
And with Spurs still stunned, Higuain played through Paulo Dybala who kept his calm to grab the crucial second away goal.
Suddenly, jubilant Juventus had matched Spurs’ hand and raised it.
It was a blow from which they failed to recover and their misery was complete when Harry Kane’s last minute header hit the post.
Manchester City 1-2 (5-2 on agg) FC Basel
Man City have never won two legs of a knockout Champions League tie.
In truth, they didn’t need to here.
After a dominant first leg showing in Switzerland, this result hardly mattered.
Boss Pep Guardiola will no doubt be encouraged by the return from injury of Gabriel Jesus who scored within eight minutes.
Spirited Basel quickly replied and levelled through Mohamed Elyounoussi and, despite having little possession, held off relaxed City before Michael Lang swept home a second.
It mattered little as City suffered their first home defeat in 15 months and only their fourth loss of the campaign.
The Swiss enjoyed their night, City are in the quarter-finals.
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