When the Champions League adopted its new format at the start of the season, Manchester City were widely considered near-certainties to qualify for the knockout stages in the revamped 36-team group phase.
After all, who could have predicted that the 2022/23 European champions and reigning Premier League winners would be outperformed by teams like Brest, Feyenoord, and Celtic in Europe’s top competition?
However, City’s disappointing European campaign has caught everyone off guard, and now they find themselves dangerously close to missing out on the knockout rounds. As of Matchday 8, the Cityzens sit in 25th place, just outside the playoff spots ahead of their final group match.
With supporters anxiously awaiting Wednesday’s crucial clash, the good news is that City still control their own destiny in terms of qualifying for the next phase.
Here’s how Manchester City can secure a spot in the Champions League knockout rounds.
The task is straightforward: If City beat Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium, they will secure a spot in the play-offs, moving ahead of the Belgian side and finishing at least in 24th place.
However, with City sitting two points outside the play-off spots, a draw or loss on Wednesday would see Pep Guardiola’s team eliminated from the competition.
In most seasons, a home win against Club Brugge—who have reached the knockout stages just once in the Champions League era—would be considered a safe bet. But with City’s recent inconsistency both at home and abroad, nerves are likely to be on edge at the Etihad.
Though City have shown some improved form lately, including a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, their recent 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League serves as a reminder of their potential to falter.
