Man City beats Club Brugge and gets a place in the Champions League Playoffs
Pep Guardiola’s team was losing to the Belgians until half-time, when the Brazilian came on and changed the English team’s performance
Summary
The outlook was not encouraging. Under pressure and in need of a win to advance to the Champions League play-offs, Brugge were leading Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium by 1-0 until half-time. Until Pep Guardiola brought Savinho on at half-time and things turned around. The Brazilian brought a new perspective to the English side, participating in two goals and the Blues won 3-1, qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. Onyedika opened the scoring for the Belgians, while Kovacic, Ordóñez (own goal) and the Brazilian himself were the names in City’s comeback.
HIS NIGHT!
Savinho scored his first Champions League goal and was applauded by the fans at the Etihad. And it was no surprise: the number 26 changed the game. From 1-0 in the first half, he was involved in two of the three goals that turned the match into a 3-1 victory for City.
HOW WAS THE GAME?
City’s first half was uninspiring. Guardiola’s team had too many touches and little objectivity. With no one capable of dribbling, the English side did little to get past Brugge’s goal, who at times defended with up to seven players inside the box.
The Belgians looked for a counterattack throughout the game and it arrived in the 44th minute of the first half, when Jutglá left Matheus Nunes and Stones behind with a beautiful dribble, invaded the area and crossed for Onyedika to open the scoring.
Everything changed with the introduction of Savinho. His poor dribbling ability turned into a new threat on the flanks and City came back pressing in the final stage. Despite focusing on the flanks, the equalizer came from a great individual play in the middle. Then, the English turned it around with Ordoñez (own goal) and the Brazilian himself, only to cook the game in the final minutes.
TABLE
Manchester City went into the playoffs in 22nd place with 11 points. Club Brugge had the same amount but finished 24th due to their lower goal difference.
Based on the standings, City will be paired with Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the knockout stages; Brugge will face Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund.
Reference
Manchester City vs Club Brugge
