sure win ph Pep Guardiola Warns UEFA Champions League Exit Could Impact Manchester City's Transfer Plans

Pep Guardiola Pep Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said that he is aware of the financial implications of failing to reach the Champions League knockout stages ahead of Wednesday's must-win game against Club Brugge. (More Football News)sure win ph

City sit 25th, outside the play-off spots, ahead of their final league phase game at the Etihad Stadium.

Only the top eight teams qualify directly for the last 16 under the new format, while clubs finishing ninth to 24th will go through to the play-offs. 

The Premier League champions have reached the Champions League knockout stages every season since Guardiola took charge in 2016 and the Spaniard is aware missing out could affect their business in the transfer market.

"In the last two or three transfer windows, it's always been positive. I'm not naive enough to not know how important it is financially for the club to go through in this competition," Guardiola said. 

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"It can affect the club but, of course, we want to try to make it happen and go through first for sporting reasons.

"In the last five or six years, the net spend at this club has been amazing. The club said, 'OK the situation is the situation. If we want to spend, we can spend. If not, we don't spend.'"

City have already spent more than £120m on forward Omar Marmoush and defenders Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov this transfer window. 

A big #UCL night at the Etihad pic.twitter.com/67NkILYUnT

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 27, 2025

Guardiola's side were beaten 4-2 by Paris Saint-Germain in their last Champions League outing, leaving them with only two wins and two draws from seven matches.

City faced 26 shots from PSG, having faced on average just 8.3 shots per game in their previous six matches in the tournament this season. 

PSG 4-2 Manchester City, UCL: Pep Guardiola Crestfallen As Spanish Coach Says 'Best Team Won'

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"We have to win the game and if not, then we won't continue in the competition. We want to go through to have another chance to play another two games and qualify for the next stage," the City manager said.

"I appreciate your concern about not qualifying, but I think we are going to do it."

Earlier in the match, a raucous crowd gave the Chinese players full support as they faced a formidable Pakistan. The game started slow with both teams struggling to find space in each other's defence. However, China kept control of the ball and made more attacks than Pakistan.

SAARI Faizal of Malaysia scored two goals for his side, while SAARI Fitri added another, and ANUAR Akhimullah opened the scoring in the first quarter.

Asked whether it would be embarrassing for his side not to qualify for the play-offs, Guardiola said: "Ask me after the game."

City beat Brugge 5-1 and 4-1 in the 2021-22 campaign but Guardiola said the Belgian side are vastly different from the team they played three seasons ago.

Brugge have not lost a game in all competitions since late October and are 20th in the standings, three points above City. They have two wins and two draws in their last four matches in the tournament.  

"We would like to score lots of goals in the first 20 minutes, but I don't think that will happen," Guardiola said.

"I expect a tough game. When a team are unbeaten, it's because they are good, there's no secret there. They have done really well.

"It's a final for both of us, especially for us." 

City are unbeaten in their last 33 Champions League matches at home (W28 D5)sure win ph, although three of their last four have ended in draws.