What does Manchester City need to qualify for the round of 16?
Manchester City are at risk of being knocked out of the Champions League in a disappointing manner during the new league stage format’s first season.
This season, UEFA introduced a new system for the league stage, replacing the traditional group format. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while teams placed ninth to 24th play two-legged ties to join the top eight.
Currently, Manchester City are in 25th place, two points behind Stuttgart, who hold the 24th and final play-off spot.
City face Club Brugge tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Etihad Stadium in the eighth and final round of the Champions League.
To qualify, Manchester City must win. Any other result means they cannot progress, regardless of other teams’ outcomes.
A win would not secure direct qualification to the round of 16, as City have no chance of finishing in the top eight. However, it would guarantee a play-off spot.
If City beat Club Brugge, they will qualify for the play-offs, as they hold a better goal difference than Brugge, who are in 20th place.
Goal difference is the first deciding factor when teams are tied on points, followed by goals scored, number of wins, and financial fair play.
The draw for the play-off round, which determines the teams advancing to the knockout stages, takes place on Friday, 31 January, at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
For City, only a win will keep their Champions League hopes alive, making tomorrow’s match crucial for their campaign.
