Club Brugge (H) | CL | Post Match Thread

[KDBPLGOAT]

Brugge were undefeated in their last 20 league games. In that time City have lost ten games (using TNT stats). Last night was an excellent victory for a City team struggling for form and could be a season defining victory. So many here trying to play down the opposition / result.

Brugge are a solid team, that are defensively very organised. It was a very good second half performance imo and I’m proud of the lads.
The issue I have is the PSG performance, that second half was a battering. We literally went TWO goals up against the run of play and they still beat us 4-2, it could’ve genuinely been 6 or 7, Teams with energetic+technical midfielders will batter us like PSG did. Don’t forget going into the PSG game we had picked up abit of form too. The fact that we didn’t buy a midfielder or RB in January shows that we are not serious this season, now Pep knows that we will play Madrid/Bayern in the KO stage, there’s no point in signing anyone else in Jan and wait till summer, cos truth is unless we park the bus (we won’t) we are getting beat. We could sign Bruno G and still lose to them. I think we solidify top 4, and go for the FA Cup, as the UCL is impossible cos our route to the final could be:
Madrid or Bayern in last 32,
Atletico or Leverkusen last 16
Arsenal Quarters
Liverpool or Barca Semi

even The centurions would need to be at their very best to get through that. With This team, no chance.

 

[BuzLightyear]

Foden on the left wing ! What the hell was Pep thinking about.? Given all the chat in recent times about Phil’s best position he does that. Bizzare.

Who else could have played there? Not Savio because pep doesn't seem to trust him (despite Savio playing well recently on the few occasions he has started) I have a strange feeling that Savio will not start against Arsenal either. :(

 

[ChicagoBlue]

3 of them can

Definitely maybe.

It appears these playoff games are considered part of the Knockout Phase under this new system. I did not realize that, and have not actually SEEN anywhere that specifies anything regarding a “Playoff Round.”

I think a good clue is the registration date, which is a few days before the playoff games.

I referenced an article in the Sporting News that said:

How many new players can be added to Champions League squads?​

Teams can add a maximum of three new players to their List A squads. For some of the more active clubs in the market, this means potentially difficult decisions.

Manchester City beat Club Brugge to edge into the playoffs and will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola could add January signings Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

The deadline for squad alterations to be submitted to UEFA is midnight on Thursday, February 6 (CET).

 

[alexmcity]

We were the better team and deserved to win. Tbh, we were toothless in the 1st half and a bit too open in the 2nd half. We had to take risks, fortunately they couldn't score a 2nd goal.

Not starting Savinho was a mistake, as he's the only one who can dribble past defenders when Doku is unavailable. You need such players against a low block, as they can cause havoc.

Pep was happy with what he saw vs Chelsea and decided to go with the same midfield. But the attempt to fit Kevin in by putting Foden and Bernie on the wings wasn't successful. They aren't proper wingers, especially vs a low block.

Kova's goal was both the best and most important. Few midfielders can run with the ball like that. Savinho showed his worth again.

Guess Omar will replace Kevin vs Arsenal, with Bernardo returning to CM.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Foden on the left wing ! What the hell was Pep thinking about.? Given all the chat in recent times about Phil’s best position he does that. Bizzare.

Dreadful stuff.
Game opened up when he moved in after the restart

 

[ChicagoBlue]

I think you’ll find that the play offs are not considered part of the knock out phase.

WHERE will I find that?

My brother (usually up on such matters as a 40+ yr season card holder) said they CANNOT play, but Perplexity is quoting me a Sporting News article that specifically references City’s transfers and says they CAN play.

WHERE is the definitive source and WHEN does the “Knockout Phase” start? Are the 9-24 playoffs part of the Knockout Phase OR is the Round of 16 when the “Knockout Phase” begins? UEFA refers to new signings being able to play in the “Knockout Phase,” and the 9-24 games start a few days after the new squad registration period ends.

 

[city saint]

i would think this is now the knockout phase as if you lose you are out.plus the league phase has finished

 

[blueabdi]

With the inevitable counter and one shot one goal.

I’ve often thought, if we insist on keeping the ball, then why not do it deeper in our own half and invite the other team out of their deep block? Hit the space over the top that Haaland loves to run onto and now marmoush and savi has good pace aswell. Pep insists he does not want to get into a transitional game because we don’t have the legs in midfield (even though he keeps selecting messers kdb and gundogan) in there. Then maybe a more route 1 style would help us with deep block teams. The way most teams set up against us now reminds of the rope a dope tactic, sit on the ropes, take a few blows and then bang! Counter and hurt us! It happens far too often for my liking and is extremely successful, So much so even the so called lesser teams adopt this strategy now. Pep might not like the transitional game but others do and deploy it against us because it works. But very often we play right into its hands.

100% true.
In that case we need fresh legs and runners in the midfield.

 

[AndyP68]

We are still a bit makeshift but went through deservedly. Patient first half. More cutting edge in the second.

Certainly not disgraceful. Scape goating players is for wankers.

Some clowns ‘support’ this team.

 

[No.8]

Brugge are a solid team, that are defensively very organised. It was a very good second half performance imo and I’m proud of the lads.
The issue I have is the PSG performance, that second half was a battering. We literally went TWO goals up against the run of play and they still beat us 4-2, it could’ve genuinely been 6 or 7, Teams with energetic+technical midfielders will batter us like PSG did. Don’t forget going into the PSG game we had picked up abit of form too. The fact that we didn’t buy a midfielder or RB in January shows that we are not serious this season, now Pep knows that we will play Madrid/Bayern in the KO stage, there’s no point in signing anyone else in Jan and wait till summer, cos truth is unless we park the bus (we won’t) we are getting beat. We could sign Bruno G and still lose to them. I think we solidify top 4, and go for the FA Cup, as the UCL is impossible cos our route to the final could be:
Madrid or Bayern in last 32,
Atletico or Leverkusen last 16
Arsenal Quarters
Liverpool or Barca Semi

even The centurions would need to be at their very best to get through that. With This team, no chance.

I completely agree regarding the PSG game. Even though City go 2-0 up it was very much against the run of play. PSG ran out well deserved winners.

Maybe it’s just blind faith on my part but I just believe City are not too far away. Obviously Rodri is a huge loss but Dias is also a big miss at the back and Walkers pace was needed playing such a high line. Without that pace City are always going to be susceptible against a counter attacking team

 

[KS55]

WHERE will I find that?

My brother (usually up on such matters as a 40+ yr season card holder) said they CANNOT play, but Perplexity is quoting me a Sporting News article that specifically references City’s transfers and says they CAN play.

WHERE is the definitive source and WHEN does the “Knockout Phase” start? Are the 9-24 playoffs part of the Knockout Phase OR is the Round of 16 when the “Knockout Phase” begins? UEFA refers to new signings being able to play in the “Knockout Phase,” and the 9-24 games start a few days after the new squad registration period ends.

Yeah, it’s a fuck up by UEFA. I read my interpretation in, I think, the Times some time ago. It could be wrong. UEFA have not issued a clarification, which is needed. The registration date means the new list is applicable for the knockout phase, so we are back to the uncertainty. Surely the clubs must ask. The regs are quoted somewhere above in this thread. Clear as mud.

 

[TheGhost]

Who else could have played there? Not Savio because pep doesn't seem to trust him (despite Savio playing well recently on the few occasions he has started) I have a strange feeling that Savio will not start against Arsenal either. :(

I thought left wing was our only position where we’re stacked with multiple options - Savio, Doku, Greals, Foden, Nunes and now Marmoush who was cup tied.

 

[oldius]

Phil Foden is not a winger.

 

[Marvin.]

Very relieved we are through. The 2nd half was excellent. Saved by Kovacic and Savinho. Savinho has now arrived at City. It's not just tonight, ever since Pep shifted him to the left he has come alive. I do feel with Doku, Marmoush, Savinho and Haaland we have an excellent forward line-up. Stones was very assured in central defence. I think we have a good defence if Dias comes back. Play Akanji at right back (not ideal but for now it will do) and Stones and Dias centrally.

I don't think we should ignore the lessons of that first half, and that is the painfully slow and pedestrian pairing of Gundogan and de Bruyne. You simply can not play them in games like this. I watched Pep's press conference and he talks about the age and speed of Gundogan and de Bruyne so he saw it. Well that's been evident for a long time. Use them as you would any old player, off the bench with 30 minutes to go, individually etc. Use their know-how wisely. If City are to get anything out of the 2nd half of the season, and there still is a lot to play for, Pep needs to get his midfield right. Whilst the window is open, there is a clamour to buy another defensive midfielder but that would be a mistake. Right back is an issue. Akanji can play that role defensively but can he go forward. Kovacic is an able deputy/partner for Rodri. Foden is the 2023-24 POTY. Find a 3rd player from Bernardo, Grealish, Macatee,Nunes, Marmoush. On occasion use KDB or Gundogan.

If we make mistakes again, Bayern or Real Madrid will show no mercy and there will be no way back.

 

[oldius]

Phil Foden is not a winger.

I posted this at the same time as your post @TheGhost ; I was not replying to you.

 

[madloaf]

Gundogan removal was key. Allowed foden to move into the middle and savinho to come on to the left. He simply can't start for us. We're vulnerable on the counter at the best of times but when he's there we can never press effectively either.

 

[Marvin.]

Phil Foden is not a winger.

We've known that for a long time. Playing Foden on the left with Gundogan and KDB central was a really stupid decision. I don't understand what Pep was thinking about. You can play Foden wide if you have a dynamic midfield but we don't. Still Pep did correct it but against a better side, mistakes like that will do for us. I expect better from Pep.

 

[oldius]

We've known that for a long time. Playing Foden on the left with Gundogan and KDB central was a really stupid decision. I don't understand what Pep was thinking about. You can play Foden wide if you have a dynamic midfield but we don't. Still Pep did correct it but against a better side, mistakes like that will do for us. I expect better from Pep.

I'm not criticising Phil Foden whatsoever. In fact, it is a compliment that he is a playmaker from deep to attacking midfield. With complimentary players around him, he can be devastating.

Savinho is a winger, and on his way to world class, IMO. It is rare to find someone with his pace, dribbling skills, vision and weight of pass. That's a rare beast. Add work rate off the ball and he becomes complete, at 20.

 

[Marvin.]

Gundogan removal was key. Allowed foden to move into the middle and savinho to come on to the left. He simply can't start for us. We're vulnerable on the counter at the best of times but when he's there we can never press effectively either.

Gundogan or KDB should be coming off the bench on the hour mark, or starting the odd game individually.

I don't know what Macatee and Grealish must think. We also have the option of Nunes as a midfielder, or Marmoush as a no 10. Of course he could not play last night. The injuries excuse is running out. I felt we got away with that and I am anxious that Pep learns the lesson of the first half of the season wrt to KDB and Gundogan.

 

[Marvin.]

I'm not criticising Phil Foden whatsoever. In fact, it is a compliment that he is a playmaker from deep to attacking midfield. With complimentary players around him, he can be devastating.

Savinho is a winger, and on his way to world class, IMO. It is rare to find someone with his pace, dribbling skills, vision and weight of pass. That's a rare beast. Add work rate off the ball and he becomes complete, at 20.

Me neither. Top play in the middle, or as a no.10. Seen him play well on the right too, but I really object to him playing wide when we start Gundogan and KDB in midfield. That was a very strange starting line-up from Pep. We all knew that Brugge would defend deep and hit us on the counter. That starting line-up made us vulnerable to counter-attacks and we had no means of breaking them down. Stupid. Pep fixed it but do that in the play-offs and we will be out.