Pep Guardiola admits 'relief' as Manchester City progress in UEFA Champions League in 'really tough season' for the club
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Updated 30/01/2025 at 09:00 GMT
Pep Guardiola believes qualifying for the UEFA Champions League play-offs is an important achievement for Manchester City given the season they have had. The Cityzens won 3-1 against Club Brugge, fired on by the half-time introduction of Savinho. They will now face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid for a place in the last 16. Guardiola told TNT Sports it is a "relief" to go through.
Guardiola admits to great 'relief' as City survive to seal progression
Video credit: Eurosport
Pep Guardiola admits he was left breathing a sigh of "relief" after Manchester City squeezed into the play-offs for the UEFA Champions League.
The hosts were forced to come from behind to beat Club Brugge 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. That means they finished in 22nd place in the league phase, progressing only on goal difference.
Asked whether the victory is a springboard for the rest of the campaign, Guardiola told TNT Sports: "I don't know. I would like to tell you yes, but I don't know.
"We have been so unstable during the season. In the past, we were always incredibly consistent, but this has not been a stable season.
"In the Premier League, we are so tight. Win a game, we can be there, lose a game, we can be relegated seven or eight positions, because many teams are there.
"Today is a sense of relief to qualify. Of course, it's a long, long season ahead of us, but still, step by step, we are recovering results. Some moments are good games. It's what we have to do."
City were sluggish in the first half, and found themselves 1-0 down when Raphael Onyedika opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.
Guardiola played his 'get out of jail free' card at the break though, bringing Savinho on from the bench.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic already has three Champions League gongs from his time at Real Madrid, and his experience paid off, as he set the ball rolling by netting the equaliser in the 53rd minute.
An own goal then put City 2-1 up, before Savinho settled the match.
Guardiola was quick to pay tribute to Kovacic for his impact, as he stated: "The first half was so academic. We didn't have the spark to do it against a team that defends really well, and especially with the ball, they did really, really well.
"They are fast. It is not a surprise. They have been the last 21-22 games unbeaten. That means a lot of games! We knew it.
"But in the second half, before the 1-1 from Kova, we had one or two chances to do it.
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'We had to give everything' - Gvardiol on City winning to stay alive
Video credit: Eurosport
"He makes a fantastic goal. I know Kova, when he's able to break the lines in that way, it's something unique, something special.
"We did it. Now it's time to enjoy it, because it's been a really tough season in the Champions League.
"We arrive in the last stages every season in the last [few] years. This season, from the problems that we had, we struggle a lot. But finally, we could qualify. The draw is the draw, and we will see."
Things will not get any easier for City now that they have progressed, with a two-legged play-off against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich awaiting. The winner will make it into the last 16.
Guardiola, though, is trying to see the positives, as he added: "Fortunately we can go. Of course, it's Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, which will be really tough.
"But it's in two weeks. In two weeks, we have a few players back, the new signings back, so hopefully we can do a good two games."
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