Man City Manchester City

Brugge Club Brugge

When and where

Pep Guardiola’s men welcome Club Brugge to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday 3 November, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).

The match is being broadcast live on BT Sport 3 in the UK but, for those living elsewhere around the world, our global TV listings at the foot of this page will show you how you can tune in, wherever you are in the world.

Our Matchday Centre will also provide minute-by-minute coverage of all the action as it unfolds on mancity.com and the official Man City app, while you can also keep up-to-date with the key moments on Twitter: @ManCity.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Wed 03 Nov

Champions League

Man City

20:00

GMT

Brugge

Matchday Live

Former City duo Michael Brown and Shaun Goater will be in the Matchday Live studios for our clash against the Belgian champions.

Two of the heroes from our famous 1999 Division Two play-off final victory, Brown and Goater will offer their expert insight on Pep’s current crop ahead of the match, before reconvening for a half-time debrief and full-time assessment.

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Time permitting, our special guests will also react to the City boss’ post-match interview.

Getting underway one hour before kick-off, Matchday Live is available on all digital platforms and offers a unique, City-centric perspective to each of our first team’s encounters.

There is also an opportunity to get involved in the show, with viewers encouraged to send in their questions to Brown and Goater throughout the live broadcast. To do so, use the hashtag #CityMatchdayLive or send a WhatsApp message to +447537186538.

Team news

Pep Guardiola preview

Pep Guardiola says City’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday evening is the most important game his team will play this week.

With the Manchester derby coming up on Saturday, the City boss says edging closer to the Champions League knockout stages is huge for the Club and the only thing on his mind. 

“It’s much more important this game than the United game,” said Pep,

“This game would be an incredible step towards qualifying for the UCL last 16 while in the Premier League, there are many games - here just six with three left.

“They are decisive. Games three and four are most important and you have to take them seriously to make a step forward in our qualification. 

“Of course. Brugge are going to adjust - the manager saw the game. They will punish us and we have to get better.

“It will be a completely different game tomorrow.”

Guardiola also said he is happy with the level of his side’s performances this season and particularly over the past six weeks – despite the defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The defeat on Saturday was tough, we know the calendar and how demanding it is.

I think we are playing at an incredible level,” he said.

“The way we are playing in the last month and a half - I would say one of the best moments in the time we have been here.

“The way we are playing, obviously results are the difference but the process and the way we are playing is very good. 

“Every season is tougher. More contenders, more well prepared top managers. Only my concern was where were our standards as a team - not success and titles.

“From there, build something special, something new and get better. Every team wants to be better - this is the challenge for ourselves to maintain our level.

“This is absolutely normal. 

“But we know what we have done, we want to finish well before the international break at United.

“But it’s football – 10 or15 minutes after disallowed goal,. We felt it at 10 v11.

“We know what we face this season. Tomorrow in this important competition to reach the last 16 - tomorrow is the most important game we have.” 

And the boss revealed there are no injury concerns other than the long term absence of Ferran Torres, revealing: “Everybody is good.” 

Last Time Out

City will be hoping to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace when we welcome the Belgian champions to the Etihad Stadium.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s men, with the Eagles taking an early lead through Wilfried Zaha before Aymeric Laporte was given his marching orders on the stroke of half-time.

Despite the setback, City dominated for large parts of the second 45, with Gabriel Jesus having an equaliser disallowed for a marginal offside in the build-up to the goal.

And there was just enough time for the visitors to land a sucker punch late on, with Conor Gallagher smashing home a second as stoppage time approached.

Previous Encounter

A memorable night for City in our last meeting with Club Brugge, as we claimed a 5-1 victory to match our greatest winning margin in a European away game.

Joao Cancelo opened the scoring after latching onto an inch-perfect Phil Foden pass over the hosts’ defence, before Riyad Mahrez made it two from the spot before the break.

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It was three inside ten minutes of the restart when Kyle Walker fired into the far corner, before Cole Palmer added another just two minutes after coming off the bench for his first senior European goal.

Hans Vanaken’s close-range finish reduced the arrears with ten to play, but there was still enough time for Riyad Mahrez to add his second and City’s fifth after being sent clean through by Fernandinho late on.

Match Officials

Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)

Assistant referees: Pau Cebrián Devís (ESP), Roberto del Palomar (ESP)

Fourth official: Santiago Jaime Latre (ESP)

VAR: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP)

Assistant VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)

Match Stats

• Manchester City have won six of our seven games against Belgian opponents in European competition, including a 5-1 victory in our only previous meeting with Club Brugge.
• City have scored 21 goals across their previous seven games against Belgian opponents, at an average of three per game.
• Club Brugge have never won away from home against an English side in European competition, while this will be their 14th attempt at doing so. They’ve lost 11 of their previous 13 such games, drawing twice.
• Pep Guardiola’s men have won 80% of their home games in the UEFA Champions League during the Catalan’s reign (20/25 – D2 L3). Among those with 20+ home games managed, this is the highest win percentage by a coach with a single club in the competition.

TV Listings