- They made the remark during post-match analysis of the game at the Etihad
- City progress with a win but will play either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid
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A former Manchester CIty defender has labelled Pep Guardiola’s side as a ‘cup team’ after they defeated Club Brugge to avoid elimination from the Champions League.
The Citizens were in danger of suffering an embarrassing exit from the competition as they were 1-0 down at half-time but a second-half strike from Mateo Kovacic and a double from substitute Savinho ensured they ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.
But former centre-back Joleon Lescott, who made 107 appearances for City in five years at the Etihad, observed that they a ‘cup team’, when asked if the win could help the team enjoy an upturn in from in the Premier League.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Lescott said: ‘Hopefully that’s the case. They are performing like a cup team at the moment.
‘They are too inconsistent to pose a threat in the Premier League and can perform for parts of cup matches but later on [in the Champions League] you may need to put a stronger performance together.
He added: ‘They are still not favourites in the competition but they are a team that other teams want to avoid’.
Former centre-back Joleon Lescott, who made 107 appearances for City in five years at the Etihad, observed that they a ‘cup team’
Speaking on TNT Sports, Lescott said: ‘Hopefully that’s the case. They are performing like a cup team at the moment
Progression to the knockout round play-offs – which Guardiola’s men must win to advance to the last-16 – has brought an ominous fixture for Lescott’s former employers.
City will need to get past Real Madrid, who dumped them out of the competition 12 months ago on their path to their 15th triumphed or German giants Bayern Munich to join fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa in the last-16.
Their opponent will be confirmed when the draw for the next stage of the competition takes place on January 31.
Should City make it through that gauntlet, they will meet either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid in the last-16.
Meanwhile, their opponents on the night, Club Brugge, also qualified for the play-off round after German side Stuttgart lost 4-1 at home to PSG.
Liverpool came into the final League Phase matches guaranteed of finishing in one of the top two positions and despite defeat by PSV Eindhoven, they ended the first stage atop the 36-team table.
Elsewhere, Arsenal ended the first stage third, level on points with Barcelona in second and just two points behind their Premier League rivals.
The final inclusion in the top-eight was Aston Villa, who booked their place in the next round with an exhilarating 4-2 win over Scottish champions Celtic at Villa Park.
This year’s Champions League final will be held at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena – with the match set for May 31
The Champions League play-offs will take place over two legs on the weekdays of February 11 and February 12, as well as February 18 and February 19.
Last-16 matches will be played on March 4 and March 5, with the second legs occurring on March 11 and March 12.
Moving on to the next stage, the quarter-finals are on April 8 and April 9, with the return legs on April 15 and April 16.
The semi-finals will take place on April 29 and April 30, with second legs on May 6 and May 7.
This year’s Champions League final will be held at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena – with the match set for May 31.
