How Manchester City can avoid elimination from Champions League group stage?

The Premier League club are now 25th in the table.

Following a devastating 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, Manchester City are now on the verge of being eliminated from the Champions League. In a rain-soaked Paris, Pep Guardiola’s team saw the script drastically change despite quickly taking a two-goal lead by the 53rd minute thanks to goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.

The tide shifted in PSG’s favour like a pendulum after the hour mark, and the Citizens gave way under the constant pressure of their hosts. Bradley Barcola ignited the comeback with a goal and an assist, proving that the Parisian storm was there on the field as much as in the skies. Then, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos struck with such force that they pulled the rug out from under City’s feet.

🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ABPEN5b3Fh

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 22, 2025

Guardiola and company’s hopes of qualifying for Europe this season are now in jeopardy due to the loss. However, a spot in the knockout stages is still available with one game remaining.

How Manchester City can avoid Champions League elimination?

As they prepare to play Club Brugge in their final match of the season on Wednesday at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s team are now ranked 25th in the league phase standings. A two-leg knockout play-off will be held for the opportunity to join the teams ranked ninth through twenty-fourth, while the top eight teams will automatically advance to the round of sixteen.

One matchday to go! 😲#UCL pic.twitter.com/jEYfEM9kTC

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 22, 2025

As a result, City are currently hovering—or rather, holding their breath underwater—just one spot outside of the qualifying spots. Stuttgart, who plays Paris Saint-Germain at the MHPArena next week, are in 24th place, two points ahead of them. In other words, City need to defeat Club Brugge the following week and pray that the clubs just above them lose.

Before the match on Wednesday night, Guardiola had called it a “must-win” match. However, their home game against Club Brugge is now truly their last chance saloon after they failed to find any points at the Parc des Princes.

The four-time Premier League winners should have little trouble against the reigning Belgian champions, who are currently in 20th place, three points ahead of City.

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