Manchester City kept its Champions League campaign alive as it scraped into the playoffs by beating Belgium’s Club Brugge  3-1 in a nervy must-win match on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic and substitute Savinho and a Brugge own goal.

The victory in their league-phase finale secured Pep Guardiola’s men a spot in the two-legged playoff knockout round, where they will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. They finished 22nd in the table, three places above elimination.

Incidentally, A large fire broke out in a merchandise kiosk outside Etihad Stadium just as fans were making their way to the ground. Firefighters remained for 90 minutes to ensure it was extinguished.

Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola revealed he is not much fascinated with the new format of the Champions League. 

City’s win on Wednesday was a nerve-jangling must-win league phase finale, to finish 22nd in the table - three places above elimination.

“I would say I don’t like (the new format) because we suffer a lot,” said Guardiola, whose team won just two of its first seven games to set up Wednesday’s thriller.

“We were on the perch, 45 minutes to be out. It is an incredible lesson for me and the players that nothing is for granted,” he added.

City faces either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the two-legged knockout round, and while City’s form this season does not bode well against either of the European heavyweights, the manager said he will at least have some reinforcements.