Manchester City faces Real Madrid or Bayern in Champions League playoffs

Manchester City secured their place in the Champions League knockout playoffs with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, coming from behind after a lackluster first half. Goals from Mateo Kovacic and Savinho, along with an own goal, ensured their advancement despite finishing 22nd in the league phase, which means they will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the next round. The draw for these knockout playoffs will take place on January 31, 2024. City's challenging European campaign included several disappointing performances leading up to this critical match. While they managed to avoid elimination, the new Champions League format has sparked discussions about its competitiveness and the implications of league placements on matchups. This year's playoff structure has led to unexpected pairings, complicating the paths for historically strong teams like City and PSG.