Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated
2 weeks ago

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
Comments
Manchester City got what they deserved in damaging PSG defeat, says Pep Guardiola

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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

Club Brugge's away form

Club Brugge have lost only six of their last 18 away matches in the Champions League and have won seven of their last 12 away European games.

European Cup runners-up to Liverpool in 1978, Club Brugge spent 2023/24 in the Europa Conference League, eventually reaching the last four before losing to Fiorentina.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:50
2 weeks ago

City's home European record

Man City are unbeaten in 34 home European matches with 29 wins and five draws.

That’s a run going back to a 1-2 loss to Lyon on the first matchday of the 2018/19 season.

City have won 23 of the last 27.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:45
2 weeks ago

Fire rages outside Man City stadium ahead of crucial Champions League clash

An area outside the Etihad Stadium was evacuated after a merchandise stand caught fire ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League game against Club Brugge.

The blaze broke out shortly before 6pm, close to where Pep Guardiola’s City team had been due to enter the stadium at around 6.30pm.

Supporters had gathered in the area for a pre-match entertainment show which included on-stage interviews with January signings Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.

Fire rages outside Man City stadium ahead of crucial Champions League clash

The fire occurred outside the Etihad Stadium ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Club Brugge

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:40
2 weeks ago

League phase woes

Having claimed the club's first Champions League title in 2022/23, Pep Guardiola's side won all six group games for the first time last season.

That was the seventh successive campaign in which City had come first in their group.

The newly revamped league phase hasn’t gone well at all for City. They are on the brink of an early exit and must win tonight in order to get through.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:40
2 weeks ago

City's Champions League success

This is Manchester City's 14th successive season in the Champions League.

They have featured in every campaign since 2011/12 and have reached the knockout stages in each of the last 11.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:35
2 weeks ago

City versus Belgian teams

Man City's 2021 wins against Club Brugge made it four successive victories against Belgian opponents.

A 2-0 loss at Standard Liège in the 1978/79 Uefa Cup was the only one of City's eight games against teams from Belgium that did not end in victory.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:30
2 weeks ago

'As expected Stones and De Bruyne start'

“As expected, John Stones and Kevin de Bruyne return to the Manchester City team tonight for the ineligible Abdudokir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush.

“Stones hasn't completed 90 minutes since October. City must hope he can now: the only centre-back on the bench is the rookie Max Alleyne.

“Club Brugge arrive in Manchester in form. They are unbeaten in 20 games.”

Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium29 January 2025 19:26
2 weeks ago

Good memories for City

Manchester City last faced Club Brugge in 2021/22 Champions League group stages.

They won both fixtures at an aggregate score of 9-2.

City scored at least four goals in both of those fixtures and will bring those good memories into tonight’s clash.

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:25
2 weeks ago

Update from Man City

Regarding the fire at Manchester City, the club have said:

"We can confirm that tonight's match will kick off at 8pm as originally planned.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Etihad Stadium for tonight's match."

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:22
2 weeks ago

Pep Guardiola explains surprising view on Man City’s Champions League struggles

Pep Guardiola has insisted that Manchester City’s perilous position in the Champions League is not a problem but an opportunity.

With a game to go of the group stage, City, the 2023 winners, are on course for an early exit as they stand 25th in the 36-team table.

They have only taken one point from their last four games and need to beat Belgian champions Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to salvage a play-off place.

Pep Guardiola explains surprising view on Man City’s Champions League struggles

The English champions must beat their Belgian counterparts, Club Brugge, to salvage a play-off place

Mike Jones29 January 2025 19:20

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in