**Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva raved about Rayan Cherki as the Blues secured direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday night.**
Erling Haaland ended his mini goal drought after 11 minutes and Cherki made it two on the half-hour mark as Pep Guardiola’s side avoided the play-off stages of the competition by finishing eighth in the group-stage rankings.
City have picked up momentum by means of consecutive wins over Wolves and Galatasaray – having won twice in seven games before those games – as they enter a tricky run of games on the domestic front, starting with a trip to Tottenham this weekend.
The Blues have cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League back to four points after the Gunners suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against Manchester City last week, though the jury is out on whether Guardiola and co have enough left in the tank to sustain another title charge.
However, Guardiola and his leadership group – spearheaded by club captain Bernardo Silva – will be doubling down on the importance of taking it one game at a time as they navigate the second half of the campaign.
It was business as usual for Manchester City on Wednesday night as first-half strikes from Haaland and Cherki secured a monumental win that avoids further fixture congestion for a side competing for silverware on four fronts.
Silva picked out Cherki for special praise in conversation with [official club media](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/bernardo-post-galatasaray-reaction-ucl-28-jan-63905236) after the game. “He’s a special talent in terms of how much he can create in the final third especially,” the Portugal international said. “He’s young, willing to learn and a good kid so we’re happy to have him with us.”
City’s win over Galatasaray came on a night when the club welcomed former players Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane back to the Etihad Stadium, with the former having captained the Blues to their maiden UEFA Champions League title and a historic treble in 2023.
Silva added: “Ilkay (Gundogan) and Leroy (Sane) are like brothers because the memories we have together are truly special. It’s always nice to see these guys. It’s nice to have them here at home. It’s their place even if they already left and I hope they feel that way.
“I’ve just invited Ilkay to the Manchester City dressing room (after the game), not that he needs an invite, but he’s a special person and player for us, and it’s always nice to see him!”
Three points are a must for City against Tottenham at the weekend, when Guardiola can count upon January signings Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, both of whom were ineligible to feature against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.
Guardiola will also be hoping Nico Gonzalez can play a role at the weekend after making the bench on Wednesday night, though Rodri is expected to start in midfield after serving a suspension against Galatasaray.