Manchester Metropolis snuck by to the play-off part of the Champions League after coming from behind to beat Membership Brugge 3-1 and end twenty second of the 24 groups to safe qualification.
Pep Guardiola referred to as for “something special” forward of the sport and what he received – first half at the very least – was one thing fairly surprising, as Metropolis didn’t muster any drive, depth or photographs on the right track, earlier than getting stung on the break by Raphael Onyedika.
Metropolis knew forward of time – having surrendered a 2-0 lead at PSG to lose 4-2 final week – that something aside from a win would consign them to an early exit from the competitors they received simply 18 months in the past, however even that might not summon the urgency obligatory to harm Brugge.
Fortunately for Guardiola, all that modified after the break when Savinho got here on, offering extra direct risk and creating gaps, permitting Mateo Kovacic to drive by the guts of midfield and sweep house the leveller.
All the things turned a bit extra simple thereafter as Josko Gvardiol compelled younger defender Joel Ordanez to show by his personal web earlier than Savinho scored a well-worked third to ease any lingering nerves with 13 minutes to go.
The ultimate standings of the Champions League group part
Manchester Metropolis ending twenty second – with solely three wins from eight video games – means they’re now eyeing up a play-off towards both Actual Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Extra to observe…
When are the knock-out attracts?
To find out who performs who within the knockout rounds, there might be two attracts after the league part.
The primary draw on Friday January 31 at 11am will decide which of the 2 choices every workforce will get within the knockout playoff. For instance, a workforce ending thirteenth will discover out whether or not they’re enjoying towards the workforce ending nineteenth or twentieth.
Seeded groups (Ninth-Sixteenth) may have the second leg at house and people play-off spherical matches happen on February 11/12 and February 18/19.
Groups seeded from first to eighth must wait till Friday February 21 to seek out out their opponents.
That draw will then decide who they face within the spherical of 16, and finally map out their full path to the ultimate.
When are the 2024/25 Champions League knockout fixtures?
- Spherical of 16: March 4/5 and March 11/12, 2025
- Quarter-finals: April 8/9 and April 15/16, 2025
- Semi-finals: April 29/30 and Could 6/7, 2025
- Ultimate: Could 31, 2025
