Manchester City survived a scare to reach the Champions League knockout play-off round, but must now take on either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
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City could only muster a 22nd-place finish in group stageNow face a difficult path to the finalLiverpool topped the table, with Arsenal in thirdFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Premier League title holders entered the final round of group stage fixtures in danger of missing out on the knockout stages completely. Going a goal down at home to Club Brugge piled even more pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side, but they recovered to prevail 3-1 and keep themselves in the hunt for European glory.
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City were able to sneak into the top 24, but now face an arduous route to the final. The likes of Real, Bayern, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus also missed out on top-eight finishes and automatic qualification for the last 16.
WHO WILL MAN CITY FACE IN LAST-16 PLAY-OFFS?
As Manchester City finished 22nd in the Champions League table, they will face one of the teams that ended in 11th and 12th place – which were Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively. Whichever side they avoid will tackle Scottish champions Celtic, after they claimed 21st spot. There is also the potential for AC Milan, with USMNT stars Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in their ranks, to face Juventus and for PSG to line up against Monaco.
GettyWHAT'S NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL & ARSENAL
Premier League giants Liverpool and Arsenal do not need to concern themselves with the play-off round. Arne Slot’s side claimed top spot in the group stage – dropping their only points on the final matchday – while the Gunners finished third. Liverpool will face either PSG, Monaco, Brest or Benfica in the last 16, while Arsenal are waiting to discover whether they will take on Milan, Juventus, PSV or Feyenoord. Whoever Liverpool avoid, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona – who finished second – will add to their schedule, while Aston Villa are looking at one of Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Brugge or Sporting.
