Man City vs Club Brugge as it happened: Pep Guardiola inspires side to Champions League play-off | OneFootball

The 2023 winners progress despite finishing 22nd

Manchester City beat Club Brugge in a huge Champions League showdown and avoided a shock elimination in the process. Pep Guardiola's side knew only a win would be enough for a place in the playoff round and the Spaniard needed to inspire his players.

Trailing at the break to Raphael Onyedika’s effort that whistled past Ederson, City were on the brink of elimination from European competition altogether, but the half-time substitution of Savinho replacing Ilkay Gundogan changed everything and early in the second half, Mateo Kovacic was allowed to charge through the middle unmarked and he slotted the ball past Simon Mignolet for the equaliser.

Just after the hour mark the comeback was complete as Joel Ordonez could only turn the ball into his own net when attempting to cut out Josko Gvardiol’s teasing cross. From there, City’s task was to hold on from a leading position which something they have struggled with on many occasions this season. However, Savinho made the game safe in the 77th minute with his first ever Champions League goal.

Man City, who face Arsenal in the Premier League at the weekend, turn their attentions to Friday when they will discover their fate in the Champions League play-off draw.