Manchester City have no other choice but to beat Club Brugge at the Etihad | OneFootball

Manchester City know the equation for tomorrow night’s UEFA Champions League league phase fixture against Club Brugge. Win and they progress to the next round of the competition. Lose or draw and their 24/25 Champions League campaign is over. It’s that simple for Pep Guardiola’s side. At the beginning of the season, it didn’t appear possible that City could exit the Champions League at the first hurdle. But it’s a realistic possibility as the world champions prepare for tomorrow night’s match.

Pep Guardiola’s side only have themselves to blame for the predicament they find themselves in. Losses to PSG, Juventus and Sporting CP have hurt their Champions League campaign. Their inexplicable collapse from 3-nil up to a 3-all draw against Feyenoord hasn’t helped their cause either. Manchester City also drew nil-all against Inter Milan at the beginning of the UEFA Champions League league phase. All told City’s poor results and performances have put them in the position they find themselves in. But they do have the opportunity to get themselves out of their current predicament against Club Brugge tomorrow night.

Pep Guardiola knows what the stakes are ahead of tomorrow night’s match. Win and his team advances. Lose or draw and they are out of the Champions League. The City manager also knows that Club Brugge will be no pushover at the Etihad tomorrow night. Speaking ahead of the game Guardiola told the media: “The situation we have is we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition. We want to have a chance to play another two games to qualify for the next stages. It is not a problem, it is an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it.”

Manchester City know what they need to do tomorrow night against Club Brugge. Pick up a victory against Club Brugge and advance to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League. If they don’t then questions will be asked over City’s 24/25 UEFA Champions League campaign. That is what is at stake at the Etihad tomorrow night. It makes for a fascinating game full of storylines and one that Pep Guardiola’s side hopes doesn’t end against Club Brugge.