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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:
Manchester City averted disaster but their obvious frailties are a cause for concern
A manager defined by finishing first may never be so relieved to come 22nd. Pep Guardiola was 45 minutes from abject humiliation. Twenty months after winning the Champions League, Manchester City were on course to be cast out of it. Embarrassment was on the agenda.
It was averted. Unconvincingly, laying bare more of their flaws, City nonetheless salvaged a play-off place. A comeback forged by Croatians, requiring an own goal but sealed by Savinho, meant they will now face one of the superpowers of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:20
City vs Belgium
Manchester City have won all five of their European matches at home to Belgian teams, scoring 19 goals and conceding four.
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:43
Kovcic sparked the comeback
And was rewarded with the Player of the Match trophy:
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:40
Aston Villa find perfect way to forget about unwanted transfer attention in Champions League thriller
Capping a memorable first league-phase adventure at Europe’s top table since 1982-83, a night full of drama ended with hat-trick hero Rogers, scoring his first three goals in the Champions League, and team-mates huddled around a phone to see if other results had gone Villa’s way.
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:37
Kovacic on Pep Guardiola's half-time team talk
The Man City midfielder said: "It was good because we came out very well. We knew we needed to step up.
“In the second half, we showed great character to win and go through.The crowd was behind us so amazing atmosphere today.
"It was important because we knew we are here to go through, we have a good team and we came back from 1-0 down.
“We know we are a great team."
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:36
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:33
Potential last-16 ties
As for the clubs already through to the last-16.
Liverpool will play Monaco, Brest, PSG or Benfica in the last 16.
Arsenal will play Feyenoord, Juventus, AC Milan or PSV.
Aston Villa will take on Sporting, Club Brugge, Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund.
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:31
Champions League play-off draw
The draw for the play-off round will take place on Friday but we already know the 50-50 ties.
Given where they finished in the league table Celtic or Manchester City will play Real Madrid and the other will face Bayern Munich.
The winner of those ties will take on Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:27
How did the other English clubs get on?
Despite losing to PSV Eindhoven tonight, Liverpool finished top of the table and are through to the last-16 already.
Arsenal and Aston Villa both won their final league games and secured a place in the top eight meaning they automatically go through as well.
A very fine showing from the English clubs.
Mike Jones 29 January 2025 22:26
Kovacic named Player of the Match
Mateo Kovacic has been named Player of the Match.
Uefa's Technical Observer Panel said: "He did very well at keeping the ball and managing the tempo of the game, as well as scoring a crucial goal at the right time."
Mike Jones29 January 2025 22:24