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 known as for “something special” forward of the sport and what he obtained – first half not less than – was one thing fairly stunning, as Metropolis didn’t muster any drive, depth or pictures on course, 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 gained simply 18 months in the past, however even that might not summon the urgency needed to harm Brugge.
Fortunately for Guardiola, all that modified after the break when Savinho got here on, offering extra direct menace and creating gaps, permitting Mateo Kovacic to drive by the guts of midfield and sweep dwelling the leveller.
Every thing grew to become a bit extra simple thereafter as Josko Gvardiol pressured younger defender Joel Ordanez to show by his personal internet 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 comply with…
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 crew will get within the knockout playoff. For instance, a crew ending thirteenth will discover out whether or not they’re taking part in towards the crew ending nineteenth or twentieth.
Seeded groups (Ninth-Sixteenth) may have the second leg at dwelling and people play-off spherical matches happen on February 11/12 and February 18/19.
Groups seeded from first to eighth should wait till Friday February 21 to search 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 Might 6/7, 2025
- Last: Might 31, 2025
