Manchester City found themselves on the brink of disaster in the Champions League, needing a victory to keep their campaign alive. Despite the high stakes, the team appeared sluggish in the first half, struggling to assert control over Club Brugge. By halftime, they trailed 1-0 after Raphael Onyedika’s well-placed finish, and tension filled the stadium. The weight of expectations loomed over the players, the manager, and the fans alike.
City’s struggles since late October had raised questions about their ability to replicate past European success. However, in the second half, they showed more urgency, pressing forward with greater intensity. The home crowd found their voice as well, helping to spur the team on. The equalizer arrived when Mateo Kovacic drove forward unchallenged before sending a low shot into the bottom corner. Brugge had previously warned of their counterattacking threat, but defensive lapses allowed City to seize control.
The turning point came when Josko Gvardiol’s cross led to an own goal by Joel Ordóñez, putting City in the lead. The visitors remained resilient, but the result was effectively sealed when Savinho, who had been introduced as a halftime substitute, added the third goal. City’s campaign had been inconsistent, with losses to Sporting, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain highlighting their vulnerabilities. The most damaging moment had arguably been the collapse against Feyenoord, surrendering a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home.
The atmosphere inside the stadium had been subdued for much of the first half, with the traveling Brugge supporters making the most noise. Their side had kept City at bay and capitalized on an opening down the left flank. Before Onyedika’s goal, Christos Tzolis had a shot blocked, and Brugge continued to threaten on the counterattack. Guardiola’s decision to deploy Matheus Nunes at right-back proved costly, as Ferran Jutglà easily bypassed him to set up the goal.
Brugge’s compact defensive setup made it difficult for City to break them down, and the home side’s attacks lacked sharpness. Ilkay Gündogan had a goal ruled out for offside, Erling Haaland miscued a header, and Kevin De Bruyne fired over. Guardiola adjusted at halftime by introducing Savinho for Gündogan, adding much-needed pace to the attack.
After Kovacic’s equalizer, Brugge still posed a danger, with Tzolis continuing to create chances. A controversial offside call prevented them from capitalizing further, and Guardiola’s frustration boiled over, earning him a booking. City eventually took the lead when Savinho found Gvardiol, whose low cross resulted in Ordóñez’s own goal.
The home crowd had another nervous moment when Haaland was denied by Simon Mignolet and Brandon Mechele cleared Savinho’s rebound off the line. However, relief followed when Savinho controlled a diagonal pass from John Stones before smashing a shot past Mignolet at the near post.
City’s reward for this hard-fought victory is a daunting tie against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Their performances have been inconsistent, but they remain in the competition, surviving a major scare to keep their hopes alive.
