Manchester City were faced with a massive task against Club Brugge in their final matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage, where they needed to secure a victory in order to remain in the competition. The Cityzens were 3-1 winners in a hard-fought match.
The Champions League matchday eight saw the league phase come to its conclusion, determining the fates of all 36 clubs in the new-look format.
Manchester City were in serious danger coming into this fixture, as they were 25th on the table therefore needing to win against Club Brugge. Anything less would see them knocked out of the competition in a shock early exit which nobody would have guessed at the start of the season.
Things got worse for the Cityzens as Club Brugge took the lead right before half-time, sending City into the break with a lot of work to do in order to survive.
Less than 10 minutes into the 45, Mateo Kovacic stepped up for City and equalised the scoreline. In the 62nd minute, an own goal from the Belgian side sent Manchester City in front with a 2-1 lead.
And things were finally sealed as Savinho slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1. The match ended 3-1 for Man City, who managed to escape elimination and mark their spot in the play-offs. Despite a loss for Club Brugge, they finish 24th on the table and also continue in the play-offs.
Man of the match Mateo Kovacic reacts to win & potential opponents
"It's obviously a match with a lot of pressure, we had to win. The first half was not bad, but we just couldn't score, or get chances. Then we conceded."
"In the end, we are happy that we scored and that we could win the game. In the end, we had a really good game I think. I don't know if it was one of the biggest (Guardiola half-time team talk), but it was good for sure. Because we came out very well."
"We knew we needed to step up because the first half was not enough. Second half we showed great character and great desire to win and go through. We are a good team, we can be there."
"Every team in the Champions is a tough one. First of all, we are happy we are through because it was a tough group stage for us. It was not easy."
"We are through which is most important. Whoever comes next will be difficult, so it doesn't matter."
Pep Guardiola talks City's survival & upcoming play-offs
"We were out. When you are out, you play with nothing to lose. The way we play that way, Brugge had more chances in the second half than the first. Maybe we felt the pressure. Sometimes you are winning 2-0, you are scared to lose. When you are 1-0 down and out of the Champions League, you have nothing to lose."
"In the right moments, we found the goals. It has been a tough group stage because the game against Inter was really good. We suffered a lot but in the last game how many important teams can be out, it's nice."
"We were 45 minutes away from being out. It 's an incredible lesson for all clubs and me, nothing is for granted. It's so difficult."
"I don't know if they are happy to play us (Real Madrid or Bayern), but it is what it is. No complaints at all, Bayern or Madrid - one is the king of the competition; the other is the second or third king of the competition."
"Real have maybe struggled, but they are back in the last games they play. If we play tomorrow, it will be difficult but in two weeks we'll see. We're going to try it and see what happens."