Manchester City avoided a catastrophic early exit from the Champions League and defeated Club Brugge to advance to the playoff round of the competition.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

Manchester City flirted with a disastrous exit from the Champions League before rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game.

With both Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake still sidelined with injury, and John Stones lacking in the necessary match fitness to last 90 minutes of football at present, the decision was taken to entrust Khusanov with a high-profile clash against Enzo Maresca’s side.

Real Madrid hope to avoid Manchester City in the next round, manager Carlo Ancelotti said after they beat Brest 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League playoff where they will be seeded.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said his team doesn't like to play Manchester City after it set up a potential Champions League date with the Premier League giant

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the smell of smoke remained in the air for some time afterward as supporters waited to be let inside.

Erling Haaland scored and set up Phil Foden for another as Manchester City came back to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, sweeping the Londoners and moving into the top four.

Manchester City news as Pep Guardiola's side secured a dramatic 3-1 win over Club Brugge to secure a place in the Champions League play-offs

Arsenal are closing in on a huge financial boost as the League Phase of the Champions League concludes this evening. The Gunners need just a point away at Girona to join Premier League rivals

The revamped Uefa Champions League group phase reached its conclusion on Wednesday, with some of Europe's biggest clubs leaving it late to secure their place in the next round. Manchester City came from behind to beat Club Brugge and squeeze into a place in the play-offs,