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Man City vs Club Brugge LIVE: Hosts qualify for Champions League knockout rounds with win solid win

Man City 3-1 Club Brugge: Pep Guardiola’s side had to win to stay in the competition

Michael Jones
Wednesday 29 January 2025 22:36 GMT
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Manchester City got what they deserved in damaging PSG defeat, says Pep Guardiola

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Manchester City pulled off a great escape to qualify for the Champions League play-off round on tense and nervous evening at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s men came into the match sitting 25th in the league and knew that only victory would be enough to send them into the knockout rounds. Club Brugge, fighting for a place in the next stage themselves, set up with a low block and frustrated City from the start.

The visitors were also lightning quick on the counter attack and were the more threatening side in the first half. Ardon Jashari sent them ahead on the break with a fine first-time strike and City needed to respond.

Pep Guardiola brought on Savinho who was electric and direct. After Mateo Kovacic equalised with a fantastic individual effort, Savinho played a hand in the next two goals – firstly setting up Josko Gvardiol to force in an own goal before bringing down John Stones’ cross and slotting home himself.

With a two-goal cushion, the players, the fans and the manager relaxed and City – by the barest of margins – got the job done.

Relive the updates from the Etihad Stadium in our live blog below:

2 weeks ago

GOAL! Man City 3-1 Club Brugge (Savinho, 77')

He’s been so influential!

Since coming on at half-time Savinho has brought energy and verve to Manchester City.

John Stones guides a lovely ball over the top and into the left side of the box.

Savinho brings it down then fires a sharp shot underneath the goalkeeper to give City a cushion.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:34
2 weeks ago

Man City 2-1 Club Brugge

75 mins: Oh wow!

Haaland’s pressure sees him win the ball back high up the pitch.

He’s one-on-one with Mignolet and shoots but the goalkeeper keeps the ball out.

It ricochets out to Savinho who shoots first time only to have his effort cleared off the line byt Brandon Mechele!

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:31
2 weeks ago

Man City 2-1 Club Brugge

72 mins: The ball comes across the pitch and is brought down by Talbi.

He skips to the right of John Stones and shoots forcing Ederson into a sharp save to his left.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:26
2 weeks ago

Man City 2-1 Club Brugge

69 mins: As things stand, Manchester City will make it into the play-off round of the competition.

If they concede another goal without reply then they’ll drop back into the elimination zone.

The last 20 minutes are going to be tense.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:25
2 weeks ago

Man City 2-1 Club Brugge

66 mins: A settling period in the match now. City are playing with a lot more control and less nervous pace.

Savinho delivers a cross that Mignolet grabs out of the air.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:23
2 weeks ago

'A turnaround that could save City's campaign'

“A turnaround that could save City's Champions League campaign and one which was made in Croatia.

“Mateo Kovacic dragged City back into the game with a fine equaliser before Josko Gvardiol's raid forward set up the own goal that puts them ahead.

“Yet in between those goals, Brugge held a threat.”

Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium29 January 2025 21:22
2 weeks ago

GOAL! Man City 2-1 Club Brugge (Joel Ordonez OG, 62')

City lead!

Savinho nudges the ball to the edge of the box and slips in Josko Gvardiol.

The left-back looks for the square pass and Erling Haaland but Joel Ordonez lunges to intercept.

He gets a foot to the ball but can’t control it and just diverts the pass into the back of the net.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:19
2 weeks ago

'Game on'

“Game on.

“City have discovered some urgency in attack but look vulnerable at the back.

“Mateo Kovacic took responsibility for dragging City back into the game with a fine equaliser but since the Brugge have had more of a threat.

“The Anglocentric focus is on Pep Guardiola's side - and perhaps much of the European focus will be, too, if they go out - but the evidence so far is that the Belgian champions deserve a finishing berth somewhere in the top 24.”

Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium29 January 2025 21:17
2 weeks ago

City 1-1 Club Brugge

60 mins: Oh my word!

Kevin De Bruyne skips to the left on the edge of the box and shoots forcing a sharp save out of Simon Mignolet.

Brugge clear their lines and beat the press. They have a three-on-three with City’s defenders backtracking.

Christos Tzolis decides to go alone and shoots but slips his effort wide of the far post.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:16
2 weeks ago

City 1-1 Club Brugge

56 mins: Club Brugge’s response is a great one. Twice in a couple of minutes they force a save out of Ederson and the hosts are under pressure again.

It’s another counter attack which puts City in trouble and Brugge know exactly how to punish them when they lose possession.

This match is very much alive now.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 21:13

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