The City winger took his season tally to eight with his two quick-fire goals against the German side as well as setting up the opening goal of the night for David Silva.
Now Sterling is hoping to carry his impressive form into this weekend’s clash with Swansea City at the Etihad.
“It’s definitely one of my best nights in football,” he smiled. “I said to myself if I could get on the score-sheet and we top the group I’d definitely put it down as my best moment in football so far and all that happened – and more.
“It’s definitely been my best birthday. It was a bit boring at the beginning, people messaging me saying ‘how’s your day so far?’ when I’d been asleep for a while, but I just knew I had to focus and there will be a good moment to enjoy later on.
“The boss asked me to score two goals. I think that’s the third time he’s said something like that to me and it’s actually come true. Against Sevilla he said ‘I think you can get one here tonight’ and I did. Now we need to carry the momentum into the weekend.
“With the players we’ve got here, you know something could pop up at any moment. Even when the game looks like it might be dead, we can spin it on its head because of the players we’ve got. I was lucky enough to get the equaliser and then make it 3-2. It was a game I knew that there would be more chances. It was a matter of us taking them.”
Sterling admitted the Blues need to stop shipping goals as a team, but also suggested there are few sides capable of stopping City when Manuel Pellegrini’s men are firing on all cylinders.
“With the football we’re playing we definitely need to be more solid and keep more teams at bay,” he said. “We’re definitely a force to be reckoned with.
I don’t doubt us against any team. I’ll take any team with the players we’ve got here fully fit and firing
...Sterling #7...
“On a personal level, I push myself really hard. I sometimes criticise myself a bit too much because I know where I want to be. That’s no different if I score or I don’t score. I just need to keep working hard at what I know I can do and it’ll all fall into place. When it does it’ll be a great moment.
“I am harsh on myself because I know what I’m capable of and to show that on the world stage is the most important thing now, showing people that I can play regularly and consistently, scoring goals and helping my team win matches.
“If we can get through the next round of the Champions League, anything is possible. Let’s hopefully get a good draw and go from there.”
