Manchester City brought back to the second half to secure a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, booking his place in the Champions League play-off.
Despite the nervous first half in which visitors took the lead, City responded with the dominant screen of the second half to cancel the deficit and maintain its European hopes in life.
The match began with City to confirm his usual dominance. Bruges, undefeated in the last four of the Champions League trips, settled quickly and looked dangerous on the counter.
Early warning signs came when Christos Tzolis broke into the right and moved into a box, although City managed to clean.
Brugge used the city’s lethargic game and stunned Etihad just before halftime. Tzolis found space on the side and chose Raphael Onyedika, who broke the ball next to Eerson to give visitors a well -deserved lead.
Pep Guardiola was visibly frustrated on the touch line, knowing that his side needed at least two goals to hold the Champions League campaign.
Full time | In play-off 💪
🩵 3-1 ⚫️ #Mancity | #Ucl pic.twitter.com/bklzywa04k
– Manchester City (@Mancity) 29. January 2025
In the second half, a rejuvenated city came out of the locker room. Guardiola made a change, bringing Savinh to Gundogan, and the Brazilian played a key role in switching swing. The city began to press more, moving the ball with greater intensity, and their efforts soon paid off.
In the 53rd minute, John Stones put Mateo Kovacic, who was driving forward and expertly put a shot in the lower corner to equalize.
Etihad broke out, feeling a return to the cards. The city continued to push forward, although Brugge remained a threat to the break.
Tzolis swallowed visitors with a golden opportunity, dragging his efforts wide when he looked safe to score.
In the 62th minute, Savinho brilliantly connected with Josko Guardiol, whose low cross inadvertently turned into his network of Bruggge’s Joel Ordones.
Brugge tried to answer but fought. Mignolet kept visiting in a game with a key savings to reject Haalanda, before the Syys threw out further effort from the line.
However, the decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Savinho ran into the passage from the stones, broke into the box and drilled Minolet Mignolet to achieve 3-1.
The victory secured the progress of the city in the competition, which caused relief among fans and coaching staff Guardiola.
