Manchester City Bound Into Playoffs Victory over Club Brugge

Manchester City staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Club Brugge 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, securing their spot in the Champions League playoffs. 

The match got off to a slow start, with City struggling to create clear-cut chances despite dominating possession. Brugge, on the other hand, looked dangerous on the counter-attack, and their persistence paid off with a goal on the brink of halftime when Onyedika fired home Tzolis' cross from inside the box. 

However, City came out with renewed purpose in the second half, and their pressure paid off when Kovacic scored a beautifully crafted goal to level the scores. The momentum had shifted firmly in City's favor, and they took the lead in the 62nd minute when Ordonez scored an own goal while under pressure from Gvardiol's challenge.

Savinho, who had been instrumental in City's resurgence, sealed the win in the 78th minute with a clinical finish. He received the ball from John Stones' lob and smashed the ball into the net from a difficult angle. 

The win ensures that City will join Brugge in the playoffs, with the Belgian side also securing their spot despite the defeat. The two teams will now await the outcome of the other group matches to determine their playoff opponents

Overview 

Manchester City did not see that coming from Brugge, and even if they did, since the Bruges had overtime gone on the counter, the space that the Belgian side seized from the fast break was enough to craft out a goal. Tzolis' cross arrived just right for Onyedinka to smash into the net. 

Breaching the Belgians' resolute defense through the midfield was a hard nut for City. While Haaland was kept at bay, Foden tried to do the break-in. Still, they barely could cause a scare to the visitors. 

Manchester City comfortably averts the danger after conceding. Pep Guardiola who got stunned and was booked for a yellow card, makes a switch, brought in Savinho to replace Ilkay Gundogan at the start of the second period. That adjustment did pay off for the side

Although Club Brugge did great touches with the likes of Hans Vanaken, Christos Tzolis , Raphael Onyedika and others but was unlucky Joel Ordonez scored an own goal. The game changed in the second half, but even at a loss, Brugge will now participate in the playoffs.