Manchester City Vs Club Brugge: A Match To Win

Defender John Stones returns to play when Manchester City faces Club Brugge in the Champions League. (X/@ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchestr City had to win their last Champions League stage match against Club Brugge. However, Man City's fate had to depend on the results of other matches despite defeating Brugge in a duel at the Etihad Stadium, Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the morning WIB.

The crucial match that determines Man City's steps in the Champions League. Whether it can qualify even through the playoffs or be eliminated in the early stages of European competition.

The new format of the Champions League makes Man City have to work hard because there is no longer a group division. All teams join one standings.

They still play the first eight matches to determine their position. Only the first to eighth places can qualify automatically for the last 16. Meanwhile, the ninth to 24 rankings must go through the playoffs.

Man City himself was thrown out of the playoffs after losing 4-2 against Paris Saint-Germain. This defeat made The Cityzens ranked 25th. The English Premier League elite team is two points behind with Stuttgart who occupies the 24th position.

This makes them have no choice but to win the game against Brugge. As a result, Man City's fate depends on other matches. If the teams above him win the game, Man City will definitely be eliminated. Likewise, if they were only able to draw, Man City would still fail to qualify.

Pep Guardiola's manager remains optimistic even though Man City is in danger of failing to qualify. He made sure the players understood very well how to execute the team's game design. Including the target of scoring goals in the early minutes of the match.

"We have to score more goals in the first 20 minutes. But that scenario may not go easy. So, we have to be able to read the game that will be played," said Guardiola, who admitted to staying calm and not getting emotional when the team was in a critical situation.

"We are completely relaxed and not emotional. That's what it takes to read a game. I know what to play to win the game. Simple if we fail to win, we are the ones who are eliminated. If we win, we have a chance to qualify," he said.

On the other hand, Club Brugge, who is ranked 20, only needs a draw to secure a position in the playoffs. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet stated firmly that the team would go all out in the deciding match.

"What is clear is that we want to qualify. If that is achieved, this is certainly extraordinary. We don't want to know why Man City is in a situation like now," Mignolet said.

Followed by the former Liverpool goalkeeper, "We only know when you come to Etihad, it will be a difficult match. We will certainly do our best to qualify."

In that match, Man City lost Ruben Dias who was injured against PSG. While Nathan Ake is doubtful and Jeremy Doku is absent against Brugge.

His absence made defender Abdukodir Khusanov likely to be played again. Despite making a blunder against Chelsea, he still entered the Guardiola squad.

Defender John Stones who started. The composition of Man City players has not changed and still relies on old players. Meanwhile, new players, Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush, will sit on the bench.

Brugge will be strengthened again by captain Hans Vanaken with Maxim De Cuyper. Likewise, winger Christos Tzolis will be the starter.

Manchester City Lineup Forecast (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Silva, Kovacic; Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho; Haaland

Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Sabbe, Mechele, Ordonez, De Cuyper; Jashari, Onyedika; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Nilsson