Former England defender and now television pundit Stuart Pearce has praised Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva for his “magician-like” display against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. City emerged victorious with a 3-0 win, which has put them in an excellent position for the return leg.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Pearce called Silva “Pep’s favourite player,” adding that “when that ball arrives at his feet, he just never loses it. His body movement, his low centre of gravity, he’s just a magician with the ball at his feet.” Silva’s excellent form was evident during the game, as he scored the team’s second goal and provided an assist for the third. Enhance your Champions League viewing experience with the best betting odds from NextBet.

Silva has been a crucial player for Manchester City since joining the club from AS Monaco in 2017 for €70 million. The Portugal international has scored five goals and provided six assists in 42 games this season, contributing significantly to the club’s success. Despite reports of interest from Barcelona, Silva remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s team and a fan favorite at the club.

Pearce’s comments came after Manchester City’s dominant display against the Bundesliga giants, which saw Rodri and Silva get on the scoresheet, while Erling Haaland scored an own goal. City now looks likely to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and with Silva’s impressive form, they will undoubtedly feel confident about their chances of winning the competition.

Silva’s future at the club is uncertain, given his interest in joining Barcelona and reports linking him with a move away from the Etihad. However, with performances like the one he delivered against Bayern Munich, Manchester City will be keen to hold on to the midfielder.

Overall, Bernardo Silva’s impressive performances for Manchester City have earned him high praise from Stuart Pearce, who described him as a “magician” on the ball. Silva’s technical ability and his contribution to the team have been vital this season, and City will undoubtedly be relying on him to help them progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Get all the latest updates from the Champions League quarterfinals only on NextBet Sports.