Geneva, Jan 31: Manchester City stayed in the Champions League, barely. Paris Saint-Germain saved its elite status in style.Both had risked embarrassing exits before winning on Wednesday, grateful to be among the 24 teams in the knockout stage. In the new playoffs-round draw Friday, they will also find defending champion Real Madrid or Bayern Munich who finished in mid-table after the 36-team standings was finalized.
City flirted with a disaster before rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game. Trailing 1-0 at halftime, and then sitting 26th in the live standings, the 2023 title-winner was sparked by substitute Savinho to avoid elimination.
āIn the second half we let our souls and hearts free,ā said City manager Pep Guardiola, who had an anguished evening on the sidelines and was shown a yellow card.