Man City v Club Brugge shock: Disbelief at ‘unbelievably dangerous’ manager move
Man City benefitted against Club Brugge from the “strangest decision” in their vital Champions League match, says Danny Mills.
City were in desperate need of a win, heading into Wednesday’s (29 January) Champions League meeting with their Belgian opponents.
Brugge even took a shock lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to Raphael Onyedika, who connected to a Christos Tzolis cross.
After a tense opening to the second-half, Mateo Kovacic found a leveller for City, before an own-goal from Joel Ordonez gave City a 2-1 lead.
Eight minutes after City’s second goal, and with Brugge needing an equaliser, manager Nicky Hayen made the decision to take off attacking trio Tzolis, Chemsdine Talbi and Ferran Jutgla.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Special, former City defender, Mills, was shocked at the decision, saying (29 January, 9.29pm): “The strangest decision so far, you know I’ve been talking about Tzolis, Talbi and Jutgla, the three forward players have been fantastic for Brugge.
“He’s taken them all off and he’s brought on three players that have never scored in the Champions League, so unless Nicky Hayen knows something that we don’t that seems a very, very strange decision, because up to now Tzolis was my man of the match, he’s been absolutely fantastic.”
Then at 9.32pm he added: “Since Brugge made those changes they haven’t really had a decent attack. I’ve no idea why. That seems unbelievably dangerous and conservative that they’ve taken off three attacking players that were doing really, really well on the counter-attack.
“Bring on three players that haven’t scored a goal between them and all of sudden they’ve lost all that momentum.”
Man City must use stroke of good fortune in Champions League to kickstart season
Football Insider Verdict
City began the night on the outside looking in, as the Sky Blues were sat 25th, with 24 teams qualifying to the knockout stage of the Champions League.
That meant a win was necessary, and despite looking dangerous in the opening proceedings, and having an Ilkay Gundogan goal ruled out for offside, it was Brugge who took the lead.
City were so to react to the Belgian side’s swift counter-attack, and Matheus Nunes, who was played out of position by Guardiola, was caught lacking.
Despite the goal, the reigning Premier League champions showed their resolve with a comeback win against Brugge.
Another player being played in an unfavoured position was Phil Foden, who had a much better time of things than his teammate Nunes.
The Champions League now offers Guardiola the opportunity to make a success, of what has been a dismal season.
City sit 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, and are seemingly out of the title race.
However, despite qualifying, City are set to face one of Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in what could be a nightmare knockout draw [talkSPORT].
One way or another the struggling side got the result they need, even if they did receive a bizarre helping hand from the opposition manager.
In other news, Man City are trying to beat Arsenal to the signing of a Norwegian wonderkid.
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