After finishing 22nd they’re through, but the club have been handed the worst possible route after several lates goals elsewhere

Manchester City have officially booked their place in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off draw after a tense evening at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s team, under pressure following a mixed campaign, secured a crucial 3-1 win over Club Brugge in their final group-stage match.

A Tense Night for Guardiola’s Side

Heading into this pivotal match, City were in a risky position. A disappointing 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in their previous game had left them in 25th place, far from qualifying for the knockout play-offs. As defending Premier League champions and last season’s Champions League winners, there was high expectation, but their struggles in the new league format had raised doubts about their European prospects.

The match at the Etihad began with a worrying start for the hosts. Despite dominating possession, City found themselves trailing just before halftime when Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika scored a surprise opener. With their hopes of advancing in the competition hanging by a thread, Guardiola’s side faced the challenge of turning things around in the second half.

However, City came out strong after the break. Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovačić sparked the fightback with a well-taken goal to equalize. The momentum swung in City’s favor when Brugge’s Joel Ordoñez accidentally put the ball into his own net, giving the hosts the lead. The win was secured when Brazilian forward Savinho added a third, confirming City’s progression to the next stage.

The result saw Manchester City rise to 22nd place in the overall standings, just enough to secure a spot in the play-offs. Their next challenge will be a difficult two-legged tie against one of Europe’s top teams—either Real Madrid (11th) or Bayern Munich (12th).

Understanding the New Champions League Format

This season introduces the revamped 36-team Champions League format, replacing the traditional group stage with a single league-phase competition. Each team plays eight different clubs—four at home and four away—before the standings determine their path forward.