Manchester City is gearing up for a decisive showdown against Brugge at the Etihad Stadium this Wednesday in their final UEFA Champions League group game. As the reigning champions from 2023, City faces immense pressure to secure a win, which is essential for advancing to the round of 16.
Currently positioned 25th in the 36-team table with eight points from their last seven games, City has seen a dip in form, winning only two of those matches. The new Champions League format means that only the top eight teams from the group phase automatically move to the round of 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th have to compete in the playoffs for the remaining spots.
Brugge, sitting five places above City with 11 points, poses a significant challenge. The Belgian side must win on their home turf to guarantee a place in the last 16. Historically, Brugge has struggled against Manchester City in the Champions League, with their last visit to the Etihad Stadium in 2021 ending in a 4-1 victory for City.
However, there is a silver lining for Manchester City. The team appears to have overcome a rough patch that saw them lose 13 games across all competitions from October to December 2024. Their recent form has been impressive, remaining undefeated in their last seven Premier League matches and climbing back into the top four.
Adding to their confidence, Manchester City boasts an impressive home record in the Champions League, having remained unbeaten in 34 home games since 2018. Manager Pep Guardiola emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, stating, \"Well, the situation that we have, we have no other option – to win the game. And if not, we will not continue in this competition. We want to go through to have another chance to play another two games to qualify for the next stage. It's not a problem, it's an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it.\"
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Guardiola has faith in Manchester City in must-win clash with Brugge
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