Bernardo Silva: Manchester City at a higher level than last season

Bernardo Silva believes Manchester City are playing at a “higher level” than last season as they look to go one better in the Champions League.

City fell just short of adding the European crown to their domestic champions tag in 2021 as they were beaten by rivals Chelsea in the final.

Yet again they are among the favourites as they seek the one major prize that still eludes them and they made a strong statement to the continent by thrashing Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the Portuguese capital on Tuesday.

“It’s a competition we want to win,” said Silva, who scored twice in the emphatic first-leg victory in his home city that all but guaranteed the English side another quarter-final appearance.

“The group is in a very good moment, we are working really hard and we have shown we are at a higher level than even last season.

“We know it is a special competition, but it’s a very difficult competition. We will try like every season. Last season, we reached the final. Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but this season we will try again.

“We are aware we are facing very talented opponents, not only from England but also from the best countries in Europe. We will do our best to reach as far as possible in the competition.”

Unstoppable? Manchester City have scored five goals or more for the third time this season...⏰⚽️0⃣7⃣ Mahrez ⏰⚽️1⃣7⃣ Bernardo Silva⏰⚽️3⃣2⃣ Foden ⏰⚽️4⃣4⃣ Bernardo Silva⏰⚽️5⃣8⃣ Sterling #UCL pic.twitter.com/1RU8uOULpz

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 15, 2022

Silva shone on his return to Lisbon. As a fan and former player of Sporting’s cross-town rivals Benfica, the 27-year-old was initially booed vociferously by the raucous home fans.

Yet he soon silenced them as he followed up Riyad Mahrez’s opener with a