Man Metropolis got here from behind in opposition to Membership Brugge to maintain themselves on this season’s Champions League, however have a frightening play-off opponent forward. Try the perfect information and Opta knowledge in our Man Metropolis vs Membership Brugge stats web page.
Manchester Metropolis survived an actual scare to ebook their place within the UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs after coming from behind to beat Membership Brugge 2-1 on Wednesday, however will face both Actual Madrid or Bayern Munich within the subsequent stage.
On Matchday 8 of the inaugural league part of the Champions League, Metropolis knew they needed to win to remain within the competitors, and needed to depend on Mateo Kovacic and an personal objective to overturn a one-goal deficit after Raphael Onyedika’s first-half strike.
The win sees Metropolis end in twenty second place within the desk, which means they are going to have a blockbuster tie with both Actual Madrid (eleventh) or Bayern (twelfth) within the play-offs. Membership Brugge nearly stayed within the competitors too, ending twenty fourth and can face both Atalanta (ninth) or Borussia Dortmund (tenth).
Metropolis took some time to get going, and didn’t have a shot on track within the first half because the nerves have been very a lot on present.
It was the Belgians who went forward to silence the Etihad Stadium. Ferran Jutglà burst down the left on the counter assault, and his cross was deflected into the trail of Onyedika, who fired inside Ederson’s close to put up.
John Stones missed an excellent likelihood to attain early within the second half when heading extensive with a header, however quickly after Kovacic did discover the web. The Croatian strolled via the Brugge defence with ease earlier than stroking the ball previous Simon Mignolet.
Kovacic has now scored six Champions League targets with every of them coming in several seasons and for 4 totally different groups (Dinamo Zagreb, Actual Madrid, Chelsea, Man Metropolis). Solely Zlatan Ibrahimovic (6), Hernán Crespo (5) and Álvaro Morata (5) have scored for extra totally different groups within the competitors.
Brugge virtually retook the lead instantly however Ederson made a save to disclaim Hans Vanaken, whereas Christos Tzolis fired simply extensive minutes later.
It was Metropolis who did nudge forward although, with Josko Gvardiol’s low cross diverted into his personal internet by Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez.
Erling Haaland had a quiet evening, however virtually made it three with 18 minutes remaining, just for former Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet to make the save when he was put via on objective.
Mignolet was unable to maintain out Savinho moments later although, with the substitute chesting down a ball from Stones and firing via the goalkeeper to make it three. Savinho has been straight concerned in 5 targets in his final six appearances in all competitions (2 targets, 3 assists), greater than throughout his first 23 outings for Metropolis (4 assists).
It was an evening of aid for Metropolis, however an even bigger check awaits them subsequent month within the play-offs.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all of the Man Metropolis vs Membership Brugge stats from their UEFA Champions League assembly on the Etihad Stadium.
The match centre under consists of workforce and participant stats, anticipated targets knowledge, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and extra. It offers you every part you must do your personal post-match evaluation.
Beneath the match centre you could find the official Opta stats on the sport as properly.
Take pleasure in this? Subscribe to our soccer e-newsletter to obtain unique weekly content material. You must also observe our social accounts over on X, Instagram, TikTok and Fb.
