Arsenal are set for a huge financial boost after sealing their place in the top eight of the Champions League. The Gunners finished third after beating Girona 2-1 to join Liverpool in the last 16
Manchester City reached the UEFA Champions League playoffs after beating Club Brugge 3-1 on Wednesday. Raphael Onyedika opened the scoring for Club Brugge in the 45th minute, but Mateo Kovacic brought Manchester City level in the 53rd minute at Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City stayed in the Champions League, barely. Paris Saint-Germain saved its elite status in style. Both had risked embarrassing exits before winning on Wednesday, grateful to be among the 24 teams in the knockout stage.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa straight through to Champions League last 16; Man City and Celtic face play-off with Pep Guardiola setting up potential return to former club Bayern Munich; play-off
Team news and build up from Champions League decider as John Stones starts - Pep Guardiola’s side know that they must win tonight to stay in the competition
Pep Guardiola has told John Stones that, unless he “promises” he cannot play, he has to start Manchester City ’s “final” against Club Brugge on Wednesday and spare them from the embarrassment of an early Champions League exit.
While Man City go gung-ho for a crucial three points on Wednesday, they may run into a parked Club Brugge bus, as their 20th-placed visitors will assure themselves of a spot in the playoff round with just a draw at the home of the Premier League champions.
Manchester City are struggling to make an impact against Club Brugge in their crucial Champions League fixture.
Manchester City face the stiffest test of their recent revival when they travel to Arsenal this weekend as Bournemouth seek to take down Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Inter Milan, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid sealed top-eight finishes as expected — joining Liverpool and Barcelona advancing directly to the round of 16 – with low-key wins. Inter beat Monaco 3-0, Arsenal won 2-1 at Girona and Atletico won 4-1 at Salzburg, which had a woeful campaign.
Manchester City face a blockbuster Champions League play-off tie against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich after scraping through the new league phase with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge.
Manchester beat Club Brugge to advance to the playoffs of the Champions League 2024-25 while Liverpool and Barcelona were the only teams already guaranteed a place in the top eight and automatic progress to the round of 16 as they stayed first and second.