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
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:
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Club Brugge (Raphael Onyedika, 45')
It’s been coming!
Club Brugge have been brilliant on the counter attack and City have been poor defensively.
Ferran Jutgla dances around Matheus Nunes then brings the ball up to the box.
He squares it across the penalty area and Raphael Onyedika arrives in time for a first touch shot.
He drills it and beats Ederson! Club Brugge are in front.
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
44 mins: Goals are flying in all over the Champions League tonight as clubs do their best to get into the knockout rounds.
Nothing of the sort at the Etihad Stadium though.
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
41 mins: Hello!
Everytime Brugge come forward a nervous energy settles on the Man City fans.
Ardon Jashari decides to have a go from range. He drills a low effort through the defence and Ederson is forced to drop to his right to smother the ball.
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
38 mins: Close!
Brugge have been patient but they’re also confident. They are happy to play around City’s midfield and drive up the pitch when they can start a break.
Maxim De Cuyper brings the ball down the left wing and squares it across to Christos Tzolis.
He nudges the ball into the box then unleashes a right footed effort.
The strike is good but Manuel Akanji gets his head in the way and blocks the chance.
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
35 mins: A bit more pace from City sees Gvardiol link up with Foden on the left.
Foden flies into the box and looks to pick out Haaland but his pass is intercepted and cleared away.
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
32 mins: It’s been a frustrating 32 minutes for the Manchester City fans.
City are used to playing against a low block but they are low on confidence and there’s a lot riding on this game.
Brugge are doing what they need to.
'City are going in the wrong direction'
“Manchester City are going in the wrong direction. They kicked off in 25th place, targeting the top 24. They are now 26th, courtesy of the goal that gave Dinamo Zagreb a surprise lead against AC Milan.
“City are finding a breakthrough hard to find themselves. Ilkay Gundogan had the ball in the net but while offside.
“He has played further forward tonight than he has done for most of the season but Brugge have defended in numbers and well so far.”
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
29 mins: Matheus Nunes plays a one-two with Kevin De Bruyne and darts into the box.
Christos Tzolis sprints back and puts himself in between Nunes and the ball.
He shields it and wins a free kick.
Man City 0-0 Club Brugge
26 mins: Over halfway through this first half and Club Brugge have strung together just 39 passes.
That shows the extent to which City are controlling the ball.
Kevin De Bruyne takes a shot from the inside left channel but fires it well over the top.
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