Guardiola Has Faith in Manchester City in Must win Clash with Brugge

Guardiola Confident Ahead of Man City’s Must-Win Clash with Brugge

Pep Guardiola is placing his full confidence in his Manchester City squad as they prepare for a crucial UEFA Champions League showdown against Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

As reigning champions from their triumph in 2023, City find themselves in an unexpected position. Sitting 25th in the new 36-team group stage with eight points, the team must secure a victory to keep their hopes alive for advancing to the round of 16. The new Champions League format sees the top eight teams automatically qualify, while those placed 9th to 24th enter playoffs for the remaining spots.

“It’s clear—we have no other option but to win,” Guardiola affirmed. “If not, we won’t continue in this competition. We view it as an opportunity, a challenge we will face head-on.”

City’s opponents, Brugge, currently hold 20th place with 11 points. A win for the Belgian side would guarantee their progression, but history favors City. Brugge has never defeated Manchester City in the Champions League, and their last visit to the Etihad Stadium in 2021 ended in a 4-1 loss.

Despite a rocky period from October to December 2024, where City suffered 13 defeats across all competitions, the team has rediscovered their form. They are undefeated in their last seven Premier League matches, climbing back into the top four. Remarkably, City has not lost any of their 34 home games in the Champions League since 2018.

Fans are hopeful that the team’s resurgence will continue. A victory on Wednesday would not only keep their Champions League journey alive but also reinforce their reputation as one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Guardiola remains optimistic: “We want to go through, to have another chance to play. It’s not a problem; it’s an opportunity.”

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