Last updated on January 28, 2025
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A must-win match for Manchester City.
Image credit: Manchester City
Manchester City are in a critical position as they prepare to face Club Brugge in their final Champions League group stage match on January 29, 2025.
With their fate hanging in the balance, City must secure all three points at the Etihad to guarantee their place in the playoffs.
City’s Road to Redemption
Pep Guardiola’s men find themselves in an unexpected battle for survival after an astonishing 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, which left them outside the top 24 spots.
With the upcoming match against Brugge, City still have control over their destiny, but they must win to stay in the competition.
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A draw or loss will see them eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, an outcome no one could have predicted.
Despite their fall from grace, City have been in better form recently. A 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday marked their seventh consecutive match in which they scored at least two goals.
The team is showing signs of recovery after a shaky autumn, with key players like Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish back to their best.
Guardiola will be hoping that the momentum from their Premier League win can carry over into this crucial European match.
Club Brugge: A Tough Opponent
Club Brugge may be three points ahead of City, but they are far from untouchable. The Belgian side has been in strong form, recently holding Juventus to a goalless draw in the Champions League.
They also have an unbeaten streak of 20 matches across all competitions, including a 1-1 draw with KV Kortrijk in the Jupiler Pro League.
Brugge’s defense will be tough to crack, especially as they only need a draw to advance, meaning they may adopt a more defensive approach to stifle City’s attacking threats.
The last time these two teams met in the 2021-22 group stage, City had no mercy, thumping Brugge 5-1 and 4-1. City will be eager to replicate these results to avoid the embarrassment of an early exit from the competition.
Team News and Key Absences
Manchester City’s injury woes continue with Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) and Rodri (ACL) sidelined. The latest blow came with Ruben Dias picking up an abductor injury in the loss to PSG, leaving him unavailable for this must-win clash.
Nathan Ake is also a doubt due to a muscle issue, while Jeremy Doku will miss out on the match with an unspecified injury.
The absence of Dias opened the door for new signing Abdukodir Khusanov to make his Premier League debut against Chelsea.
Unfortunately, Khusanov had a difficult start, committing the error that led to Noni Madueke’s early goal.
However, Guardiola will likely continue to place trust in the young defender, though John Stones will likely return to the starting lineup in place of Khusanov for this match.
City’s attacking trio of Haaland, Grealish, and Foden will once again be the focal points of the attack, with Kevin De Bruyne pulling the strings in midfield. The midfield will also see Mateo Kovacic starting, with Bernardo Silva providing added creativity.
For Club Brugge, they have just one injury concern – captain Hans Vanaken, who missed the weekend’s draw due to illness. His fitness will be crucial as Brugge’s chances of progression depend heavily on his presence in midfield.
Maxim De Cuyper, the left-back, has been key to Brugge’s Champions League campaign and will look to add to his tally of 14 chances created in the competition this season.
What’s at Stake for Manchester City?
🗣️ Pep Guardiola on Club Brugge (H) being a final:
— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) January 28, 2025
“Win the game, if not we will not continue in this competition, and we want to.” pic.twitter.com/IdJdk2lC6J
This match is a do-or-die scenario for Manchester City. Win, and they are through to the Champions League playoffs. Lose or draw, and their European adventure is over before it even begins.
Guardiola will have to motivate his players to find the cutting edge that has been missing in some of their recent matches.
With an attack led by Haaland and Grealish, and the return of key figures like De Bruyne, City will need to capitalize on every opportunity to ensure they progress.
Their defense, however, remains a question mark with the injuries mounting, and the young Khusanov will need to prove that he can handle the pressure of European football.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Club Brugge
