Manchester City overcame themselves to beat Club Brugge and progress in the Champions League | OneFootball

Manchester City beat Club Brugge 3-1 at the Etihad last night to progress to the next round of the UEFA Champions League. As all games are, last night’s match was a tale of two halves for Pep Guardiola’s side. In the first half, City played in a pedestrian manner and played into Club Brugge’s hands. But in the second half, the world champions came to life to overcome a half-time deficit and book their ticket to the next phase of the Champions League.

You could almost say that Manchester City had to overcome themselves to win last night. We saw the obligatory defensive error from Pep Guardiola’s side. This time it was Matheus Nunes who rushed into a challenge that directly led to Club Brugge’s goal just before halftime. Pep Guardiola’s team selection also raised eyebrows when the teams were announced. You do have to question the wisdom of playing Phil Foden on the left wing. That position doesn’t suit Foden’s game. Bernardo Silva on the right wing just doesn’t offer the threat it used to. The midfield pairing of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan was too slow.

In the first half, Club Brugge exploited all of this as their threat on the counter was clear to see. Although it must be said that this threat carried into the second half of last night’s game. But Manchester City’s play in the first half was too slow and too predictable in the first half of last night’s match.

READ MORE: City player ratings from Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge.

But the introduction of Savinho at halftime changed the game. The Brazilian international gave Manchester City a more potent threat on the left wing. His introduction also saw Foden play in his preferred position. All told that one tactical move from Pep Guardiola swung the game in City’s favour. There was also more urgency to Manchester City’s play in the second half than the first. All told, Manchester City overcame themselves to pick the win they desperately needed at the Etihad.

A tie against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich awaits Manchester City in the knockout phase play-off round of the UEFA Champions League. But at halftime, faced with a 1-nil deficit against a determined Club Brugge side City had to lift. They did just that as goals in the second half from Mateo Kovacic, an own goal from Joel Ordoñez and a fine Savinho strike sealed City’s win. But despite how impressive Club Brugge were at times come the final whistle you did get the sense that City had gotten out of their own way to pick a crucial victory.