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.

Pep Guardiola did not hold back his honest assessment of Manchester City's Champions League hopes this season. Manchester City saved their Champions League season with a 3–1 victory over Club Brugge on the final day of the Champions League league phase.

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's tough schedule "is what it is" after drawing Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout phase play-off round.City will face the La Liga giants in the Champions league for a fourth year in a row as finishing 22nd in the newly revamped League Phase meant the only other potential opponent was Bayern Munich.