Manchester City made a used return to secure a 3-1 win over Club Brugge, holding their place in the Champions League round.
Despite the first half that saw visitors take on a leading role, the city responded with a dominant screen for the second half to overthrow the deficit and maintain their European hopes alive.
The race began with the city struggling to claim their ordinary sovereignty. Brugge, undefeated in the last four excursions of the Champions League, quickly settled and looked dangerous on the bench.
Early warning signs came when Christos Tzolis broke to the right and crossed the box, though the city managed to clean.
Brugge took advantage of the city’s lethargic game and surprised Etihad just before the half. Jolis found space on the side and took Raphael Onyedika, who broke the ball beyond Ederson to give visitors a one is worth the lead.
Pep Guardiola was visible frustrated by the touch line, knowing that his side needed at least two goals to keep the Champions League campaign alive.
Full -time In the play-offs 💪
🩵 3-1 ⚫् Grudge | #UCL pic.twitter.com/bklzywa04k
– Manchester City (@mancity) January 29 2025
The second half saw a refreshed city emerging from the dressing room. Guardiola made a change by bringing to Savinho for Gundogan, and the Brazilian played a key role in shifting the momentum. The city began to push higher, moving the ball with greater intensity and their efforts soon yielded.
In the 53rd minute, John Stones created Mateo Kovacic, who led forward and put a specialized in the lower corner to balance.
Etihad broke out, feeling a return to cards. The city continued to promote, although Brugge remained a threat to the break.
Jolis wasted a golden opportunity for the visitors, dragging his effort wide when he seemed certain to score.
In the 62nd minute, Savinho was extremely associated with Josko Gvardiol, whose low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Joel Ordonez of Brugge.
Brugge tried to answer but fought. Mignolet kept visitors in the game with a critical savings to deny Haaland, before Seys cleared an attempt to track from the line.
However, the decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Savinho leaned into a stones pass, burst into the box and broke a low shot beyond Mignolet to make it 3-1.
Niki secured the city’s evolution into the competition, causing relief from fans and Guardiola training staff.
