Manchester City 3 Club Brugge 1: City player ratings as City fightback to progress in the Champions League | OneFootball

Manchester City 3 (Mateo Kovacic 53′, Ordoñez (OG)62′, Savinho 77′)

Club Brugge 1 (Onyedika 45′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City came from 1-nil down to beat Club Brugge 3-1 at the Etihad. It was a tale of two halves for Pep Guardiola’s side as they were poor in the first half but they clicked into gear in the second half. Club Brugge deserve credit for their performance and they were a constant threat on the break throughout the game.

Here are the City player ratings and a brief match report from Manchester City’s crucial win.

First half

The pattern of the game was set in the opening 10 minutes of the game. Manchester City looked to be controlling the game, but the threat of Club Brugge with their pace up front and on the counter did loom large.

After 25 minutes the game was still yet to come to life. Manchester City had several half chances blocked and Ilkay Gundogan had a goal disallowed in the 16th minute for offside. But all told not a lot of chances were being created by either side. City was dominant in possession, but Brugge was defending well.

It took until the 40th minute for the game to have its first shot on target. It fell Club Brugge’s way with a long-range shot from Jashari easily saved by Ederson.

On the stroke of halftime Club Brugge would take the lead. A swift counterattack from the Belgian side saw Raphael Onyedika fire Brugge into the lead. Ferran Jutglà easily beat Matheus Nunes on the left wing and his cross was beautifully finished by Onyedika.

Club Brugge would take a one-nil lead into halftime. Manchester City had it all to do in the second half. In a game they needed to win, their first-half performance was dismal considering what was at stake.

Second half

There was more intent to Manchester City’s play to begin the second half. Savinho’s introduction had given City more of an attacking threat on their left-hand side. John Stones headed City’s best chance of the match wide from six yards out after a sublime cross from Kevin De Bruyne. In truth, Stones should have scored but you could see that Pep Guardiola’s side was upping the ante.

Mateo Kovacic would equalise for Manchester City in the 53rd minute. The Croatian international made a driving run from midfield and he wasn’t challenged by any Club Brugge players. He arrowed in a low drive to draw City level. It was now game on as Club Brugge’s resistance was finally broken.

But the visitors would almost take the lead a minute later. Christos Tzolis was played through, and he set up Hans Vanaken with a good chance, which was well-saved by Ederson. Tzolis would then see a shot of his own once again saved by Ederson moments later.

Manchester City would take the lead in the 61st minute after both teams had their chances to take the lead after City’s equaliser. Some neat interplay between Savinho and Josko Gvardiol played Gvardiol in behind the Brugge defence. His cross was deflected into his own net by Joel Ordoñez to give the world champions the lead.

Manchester City would almost make it 3-1 in the 72nd minute. Erling Haaland won back possession on the edge of the Club Brugge area. He saw his shot well saved by Mignolet and the rebound fell to Savinho. But the Brazilian’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by the Club Brugge defence.

Savinho would make it 3-1 to Manchester City in the 77th minute. A sublime ball over the top of the Brugge defence from John Stones played in Savinho. The Brazilian blasted his shot through Simon Mignolet to give Pep Guardiola’s side a two-goal cushion.

The remainder of the game would play out without incident as Manchester City qualified for the next stage of the Champions League.

Summary

Pep Guardiola’s side had to fight against a determined Club Brugge outfit. Guardiola’s team selection in the first half was a cause for concern but the introduction of Savinho changed the game in the second half. All told, Manchester City will be happy to have picked the victory they required. Now they can plan for the next stage of the Champions League as they booked their place in the next round of the competition. They will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the knockout phase playoff round of the tournament.

The City player ratings do tell a story of two halves. Manchester City were poor in the first half but a lot better in the second.

City player ratings

Ederson-7.5/10: Made several crucial saves throughout the game. He is back to his best and that’s obvious to see. A good performance from Ederson.

Matheus Nunes-4/10: With Kyle Walker gone he has to play at right-back. But he must stop rushing into challenges. It cost City tonight and it’s something that he has to rectify.

John Stones-8.5/10: Manchester City’s best player over the 90 minutes for me. Defended well and grabbed an assist. If he stays fit he could be crucial for the remainder of the season for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Manuel Akanji-6/10: Not his best display. He was better in the second half than he was in the first.

Josko Gvardiol-8/10: Another quality performance from Gvardiol. He was immense going forward, and it was his cross that led to City taking the lead. Also defended well.

Mateo Kovacic-8/10: He scored City’s equaliser and his drive from midfield helped City immensely in the second half. However, Manchester City must sign another midfielder to allow Kovacic to play in a role that he is more suited to.

Ilkay Gundogan-5/10: Had a goal disallowed for offside but offered nothing much else before he was substituted.

Kevin De Bruyne-6.5/10: His first half performance mirrored his team’s, which was poor. He was alot better in the second half before being substituted.

Bernardo Silva-6/10: He was poor in the first half on the right wing. He was alot better in the second half playing in a role he is better suited to.

Phil Foden-6.5/10: Playing Foden on the left wing is a waste of his talents. He was much better when moved to his preferred position in the second half.

Erling Haaland-6/10: Only had one chance of note but his pressing was much better.

Substitutes

Savinho-8/10: Turned the game when he came on at halftime. Scored a goal and made Manchester City infinitely more dangerous going forward. A superb performance.

Rico Lewis-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.