NEW DELHI: Manchester City survived a first-half scare to defeat Club Brugge 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, ensuring their progression to the Champions League playoffs. However, the performance left more questions than answers for Pep Guardiolaโs side as they struggled with inconsistency.
The city entered the match knowing that failure to win would mean a humiliating early exit from the tournament. Despite the high stakes, they started sluggishly, allowing Brugge to grow into the game.
Raphael Onyedika put the Belgian side ahead just before halftime after Ferran Jutglร easily outmanoeuvred Matheus Nunes on the right flank, delivering a precise cross for the goal. Sensing a historic upset, the away fans made their voices heard, and the Etihad crowd sat in stunned silence.
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Cityโs first-half display was uninspiring, with slow build-up play and missed chances.
Ilkay Gรผndogan had a goal ruled out for offside, while Erling Haaland misjudged a header, opting to pass instead of shooting. Kevin De Bruyne also skied an effort over the bar, summing up Cityโs frustration.
By halftime, City was second-best, struggling to create clear opportunities while Brugge looked dangerous on the counter. Guardiola responded by introducing Savinho for Gรผndogan, adding much-needed pace to Cityโs attack.
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The change paid off quickly as Mateo Kovaฤiฤ drove forward in the 53rd minute, unleashing a precise low shot past Simon Mignolet to level the score. Brugge remained resilient and continued to threaten on the counter, with Christos Tzolis causing problems down the left. However, the Cityโs pressure eventually broke them.
In the 62nd minute, Joลกko Gvardiolโs cross forced Bruggeโs Joel Ordรณรฑez into an own goal, giving City the lead. Guardiola, who had earlier been booked for dissent, finally relaxed when Savinho sealed the win with a composed finish.
While City progressed, its struggles suggest it faces a daunting task ahead, with potential matchups against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich looming.
