The Portuguese playmaker has been in excellent form since the turn of the year with five goals from his last 10 starts.
Bernardo says City will pay Basel the respect they deserve on Wednesday evening, despite a healthy 4-0 lead from the first leg.
“I am extremely happy to have been able to help the team over the past few months and to get us closer to the title,” he said.
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“Now is time to think about the next challenge and about Wednesday’s game against Basel. It is a Champions League match, which is a very important competition for us.
“We know we have been doing a good job so far this season, that we won the League Cup and are in a good place in the Champions League and that we are also still fighting for the Premier League trophy.
“Each game we are a little closer, therefore the confidence and the team’s spirit is really high and we are ready to face the upcoming weeks of this season, with maximum determination and ambition.”
Despite the four-goal advantage, Bernardo says nobody will be underestimating the Swiss champions – even if they would need to replicate a similar turnaround to Barcelona’s record 6-1 win against PSG last season – the French side having won the first leg 4-0 in Paris.
Said Bernardo: “In my opinion, Champions League games are never easy, but of course, when you win by 4-0 in the first round away, you’ve always a good advantage especially because now we are playing at home with our fans’ support.
“We’ll face the challenge with maximum confidence and stay focused, with the intention to win again.”
Reflecting on Sunday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea, Bernardo admitted that the Blues are firmly on course for the title but says nobody should celebrate until the trophy has been secured.
“I think it’s still early, but I know we are getting nearer,” he said. “We are hoping to give our fans this special trophy, as soon as possible.”
