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But Pep Guardiola’s tactics either side of the break outlined a battle of his own, between the team he wants his best sides to be and the team his City are right now.
During the first period, the hosts tried to party like it was 2023. Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Chelsea, Guardiola was asked about the possibility of picking the returning and injury-ravaged John Stones in the hybrid centre-back/midfielder role where he excelled during City’s treble-winning season.
“Now with John, I’m struggling to see it, due to injuries, that he plays there,” he said. “I prefer to see him back because as a defender, especially reading situations, he is so, so good.” Long-time observers of Guardiola on big Champions League nights will not be surprised to learn that Stones duly spent the first half advancing high into midfield from central defence, often further up the field than nominal holding player Mateo Kovacic in possession.
MORE: Man City vs. Club Brugge final score: Champions League result, updates, stats as Guardiola’s men set up Madrid or Bayern blockbuster
Stones exuded smooth authority despite regular indications that a foot injury continues to hinder his movement. He ended the night with two assists, including a sublime pass to set up Savinho’s game-sealing goal, completed 105 passes and made 10 of those into the final third.
But, not for the first time this season, Cty were badly exposed without the ball. While centre-back Ruben Dias was flanked by Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake as Stones roamed during the treble run-in, Manuel Akanji had recently converted midfielder Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol either side of him. That stymied each of Gvardiol and Nunes’ attacking tendencies and the latter was beaten far too easily by Ferran Jutgla in the build-up to Raphael Onyedika’s opening …
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