Manchester Metropolis’s Champions League marketing campaign may have gone the identical method because the merchandise stand exterior Etihad Stadium that went up in flames earlier than kick-off – however a firefighting act on the pitch meant they scraped into the play-offs.
Even Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola sensed the dangerous omens, saying: “Once I noticed the fireplace earlier than the sport I believed ‘the journalists have their headlines already’.”
Fortunately, no-one was damage in that pre-match drama, whereas Metropolis had been additionally capable of lastly emerge unscathed from an evening of pressure and nerves, displaying extra of the fragility that has characterised their season.
It is Actual Madrid or Bayern Munich subsequent – a state of affairs which may ship shudders down the backbone of essentially the most ardent Metropolis follower.
Metropolis’s closing inserting of twenty second within the new Champions League opening part after ought to be a supply of embarrassment to a membership of such excessive ambition, winners of this event in 2023.
And but, for a short time, it appear to be it was going to be loads worse as Guardiola’s aspect confronted the humiliation of not even making the play-offs.
Other than one noisy nook occupied by Brugge followers, you may have heard a pin drop when Raphael Onyedika’s low drive proper on half-time left Metropolis needing two targets to attain the win they required.
A play-off spot would have been seen as an unlikely comfort prize firstly of the season. When even that started to fade from view, this season’s sense of disaster was heightening.
Metropolis had been susceptible on the again, with weak spot out huge as soon as extra, and blunt in assault. This was solely the second time a staff managed by Guardiola did not have a first-half shot on course, following on from a recreation in opposition to Borussia Dortmund in September 2022.
These house followers contained in the stadium had been subdued. Metropolis had given their supporters nothing to ease their rising considerations.
Guardiola had gone by way of agonies in his technical space, clutching his head in anguish on a number of events as Metropolis had been hit on the break, additionally aiming a wild kick at a drinks field, though he laughed this off afterwards with a reminder about his stellar enjoying profession at Barcelona.
Within the wider context, this was Metropolis’s season on the road – European ambitions threatened whereas languishing 12 factors adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, their maintain on that crown loosened.
It’s to Metropolis’s credit score that they responded, helped by Guardiola’s efficient change of Savinho for Ilkay Gundogan at half-time, that means the supervisor averted the destiny of failing to achieve the knockout stage for the primary time in his silver-lined profession.
If Metropolis had gone out, it will have ended a run of 11 successive seasons wherein they’ve reached the knockout stage – the rest would have been a extreme physique blow to the satisfaction and standing of a membership who cherish their place at Europe’s prime desk.
Metropolis survived what would have been their largest embarrassment underneath Guardiola, however on present type a play-off in opposition to both Actual or Bayern to achieve the final 16 can’t be approached with confidence.
It was solely when the unlucky Joel Ordonez turned Josko Gvardiol’s cross into his personal web to offer Metropolis the lead that Brugge’s risk was lastly extinguished, their supporters additionally celebrating on the closing whistle as they sneaked into the play-offs in twenty fourth place.
The house aspect bought there in the long run, however this marketing campaign has to this point supplied nothing to counsel there ought to be any fears for both Madrid’s elder statesman boss Carlo Ancelotti or for the Metropolis legend who’s now Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany.
“We deserve it,” stated Guardiola of Metropolis’s play-off destiny. “I do not know if they’re pleased to play in opposition to us however it’s what it’s. No complaints. We’ll face them – one is the king of the competitors, the opposite is the second or third.”
The defeats Metropolis suffered in opposition to Juventus, Sporting and Paris St-Germain, together with the collapse in opposition to Feyenoord to attract after main 3-0 with 16 minutes left, will provide all of the encouragement their subsequent opponents want.
And even when these formidable hurdles are overcome, Metropolis will then face Diego Simeone’s nuggety Atletico Madrid or Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen within the final 16.
Simpler? Not by a lot.
Even in victory right here, Metropolis had been too typically susceptible on the counter-attack, with too many areas in midfield for Membership Brugge to take advantage of, however they dug deep when it mattered and clawed themselves out of the opening they had been in.
Metropolis will one way or the other need to trend an unlimited enchancment within the quick interval between this win and the play-offs if they don’t seem to be to slide out at that stage.
This was unthinkable firstly of the season given their pedigree, nevertheless it has grow to be very thinkable in latest weeks, particularly after the fearful going over they bought when
Guardiola, relieved in addition to happy, is hoping Metropolis will quickly be in a stronger place, capable of name on new ahead Omar Marmoush amongst others, whereas historical past is affected by groups who turned early struggles into Champions League triumph.
John Stones made a welcome return, whereas Guardiola is hoping others similar to Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake may very well be again, together with Oscar Bobb, whereas Kevin de Bruyne can purchase extra minutes and health.
Guardiola may name on the recollections of beating Bayern and Actual on their technique to Champions League closing victory in opposition to Inter Milan in Istanbul in 2023.
“It might sound not possible as we speak, however tomorrow the mindset, the vibes will change,” Guardiola stated. “We’ll strive in opposition to Actual or Bayern. We’ll create issues. These gamers have one thing particular. We’ll attempt to do it.”
It was virtually the speak of an underdog, not often Manchester Metropolis’s station in recent times.
That is the place they stand now on this event – however when a staff of confirmed high quality have a combating probability, then can defy the chances.
Metropolis, nevertheless, must climb a number of ranges if this painful, tortuous Champions League journey is to proceed within the final 16.
