Manchester City is playing its future in the Champions League this Wednesday against Club Bruges, in a Duel in Quit or Double at Etihad Stadium. Relegated outside the Top 24 after an unexpected collapse against PSG, Pep Guardiola's men must imperatively prevail to hope to see the phase with direct elimination. For their part, the Belgians, solid against Juventus, can validate their qualification with a simple draw.
Manchester City, a high -voltage qualification
The scenarios are clear to Manchester City: a victory and the qualification will be almost assured, a defeat or a draw and the European adventure will end prematurely. After raising their heads this fall, the Citizens thought they had done the hardest against PSG last week, thanks to fast goals from Jack Grenish and Erling Haaland. But a spectacular reversal of Parisians plunged City into a critical situation.
Haaland and Manchester City by the precipice.
Despite this disappointment, statistics play in favor of the Champions of England. At home, they remain undefeated in 90 minutes in their last 33 Champions League games. In addition, Bruges never posed a problem for them, the Skyblues having crushed the Belgians 5-1 and 4-1 during the group phase 2021-2022. Similar performance would be a necessity to avoid a fiasco.
Bruges, solidity as an asset
Club Bruges does not intend to let it go. The Nicky Hayen team has demonstrated its ability to resist European cadors, in check Juventus (0-0) during the previous day. Better still, Bruges remains on an impressive series of 20 games without defeat all competitions, taking points against teams like Aston Villa, Celtic and Sporting Portugal.
Their mission in Manchester is simple: do not lose. A draw would assure them a place in dams, a result which seems within their reach in view of their defensive solidity and their ability to frustrate their opponents. However, the last time Bruges has chained five unbeaten games in the European Cup dates back to 1976-1977. A huge challenge therefore awaits them in front of Citizens back to the wall.
Between a Manchester City team that plays its survival and a Bruges club looking for a feat, the tension will be at its height at Etihad. Guardiola and his men no longer have the right to make mistakes.
Manchester City – Club Bruges
8th day of the Champions League
📍 Place : Etihad Stadium, Manchester
🕘 Hour : 9:00 p.m. (French time)
The probable compos of the Manchester City match – Club Bruges
Manchester City: Ederson – Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol – Silva, Kovacic – Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho – Haaland
Bruges club: Mignolet – Sabbe, Mechele, Ordonez, de Cuyper – Jashari, Onyedika – Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis – Nilsson
On which channel to follow the Manchester City match – Club Bruges?
The meeting between Manchester City and Club Bruges will be followed Wednesday January 29, 2025 from 9 p.m. on Canal+ Live 5.
It will also be possible to view the match in
Mycanal streaming.
