Manchester City stayed in the Champions League after beating Club Brugge 3-1 in their last group stage match. City struggled but came from behind to secure an important victory.
City had a tough first half, completing 399 passes without managing a single shot on target. Meanwhile, Brugge looked dangerous on the counter and took the lead through Raphael Onyedika just before the break.
City reacted in the second half, with Mateo Kovacic and Savinho scoring before Brugge’s Jorne Spileers put the ball into his own net. This win guaranteed City a spot in the knockout stage playoffs.
City showed both strengths and weaknesses in this match. Brugge’s counter-attacks caused problems, but City’s ability to build momentum and put pressure on opponents helped them get the job done.
Man City to Face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich Next?
City now waits to see whether they will face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the next round. It will be a high-stakes tie, as both teams have struggled in the competition just like City. Pep Guardiola admitted that Madrid and Bayern seem better based on City’s poor results in England and Europe, but the reality is that neither side is at their best.
Attacking Comparison – Champions League
| Real Madrid | Bayern Munich | Manchester City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Goals Scored | 20 | 20 | 18 |
| Shots on Target | 55 | 69 | 59 |
| Shooting Accuracy | 55% | 53.5% | 57.3% |
| Shot Conversion Rate | 20% | 15.5% | 17.5% |
Defensive Comparison – Champions League
| Real Madrid | Bayern Munich | Manchester City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Clean Sheets | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Shots Faced | 50 | 24 | 35 |
| Duels Won | 359 | 403 | 276 |
| Duel Win Percentage | 51.7% | 50.7% | 49.3% |
City’s biggest issue is defending counter-attacks, which suits Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics well. Meanwhile, Bayern’s Vincent Kompany knows Guardiola’s playing style perfectly. City’s midfield is ageing, making them vulnerable to fast transitions. Kevin De Bruyne will turn 34 in June, Ilkay Gundogan is already 34, and Mateo Kovacic will be 31 in May.
City’s Struggles Against Real Madrid and Bayern’s Inconsistent Form
Aside from their 4-0 win in the 2023 semi-final second leg, Madrid has often been City’s nightmare. In 2022, Madrid eliminated them at the same stage, and last season, Madrid knocked them out on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Bayern, on the other hand, looks stable in Germany but has struggled in Europe. They lost to Aston Villa, Barcelona, and Feyenoord in three of their four away matches, scraping 1-0 wins in the other two. Kompany’s first season as Bayern coach has been far from smooth.
The first leg will take place at the Etihad Stadium before City travels to Madrid or Munich for the return leg. Strengthening the midfield is crucial if City wants to compete at the highest level.
Young Signings and a Boost from Marmoush
Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush has added energy to the team and impressed in his debut against Chelsea. However, City’s two young defensive signings, Abduqodir Khusanov (who turns 21 next month) and Vitor Reis (who just turned 19), are unlikely to make a big impact in the near future.
