Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was reluctant to consider the impact of an early Champions League exit, as he admits that his side have simply not been good enough.A Club Brugge side who City

Crisis averted then for Manchester City. Or perhaps that should read crisis postponed? The champions of England escaped the league phase and through a certain prism, there is a case to be made that Pep Guardiola's side are well into the post-nadir period of their season.

City are on the verge of an early exit from Europe’s top competition and must defeat Club Brugge in their final match of the league phase to make it into the playoff round

John Stones is on the comeback trail from yet another injury but looks like being forced into a start earlier than planned against Bruges

Pep Guardiola has told John Stones he needs him on the pitch in Wednesday’s crunch Champions League clash with Bruges. The England defender has made only eight starts for Manchester City this season in an injury-hit campaign and not completed 90 minutes since October.

Ninety-six hours before Manchester City's do-or-die UEFA Champions League game at home to Club Brugge, Pep Guardiola took the unusual step of effectively confirming a selection decision.John Stones will start a game where anything less than three points for the 2022/23 winners will end their participation before the knockout stages.

Stones shone in the Treble success by transforming into a dependable solution in defensive midfield, largely alongside Rodri, however with the injury sustained by the Spaniard, Guardiola believes it rules out the idea of the England centre-back returning to the role this season.

His side live to fight another day, but Pep Guardiola is in no doubt that whatever Friday's Champions League draw holds for Manchester City, his side will be underdogs. Winning the competition entirely?

John Stones' inability to stay fit has denied Pep Guardiola an ideal defensive midfield solution, caused Manchester City to spend £63m on new centre-backs and forced Pep Guardiola to play ...

City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that Oscar Bobb could be involved in Wednesday’s huge Champions League first phase finale at home to Club Brugge.

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