Manchester

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 Live chief football correspondent

For the umpteenth time in a season that has proved to be far from what was expected for Manchester City, Pep Guardiola looked to be going through the full range of emotions as his team eventually hauled themselves out of the elimination places and into the Round of 16.

But now they are there, who would count against them going much further in the competition? Even with the prospect of a blockbuster play-off tie against either the holders Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, with the first leg being played in Manchester.

There is a long history of clubs winning the Champions League when their hopes of landing their domestic title have long fallen by the wayside. In 2005, Rafa Benitez's famous Liverpool team's victory came after they finished fifth in the Premier League.

Chelsea ended sixth when they won the Champions League for the first time in 2012, and fourth when Thomas Tuchel's team beat Manchester City in the Porto Final of 2021.

And even last season, Borussia Dortmund went all the way to the Wembley Final but could only finish fifth in the Bundesliga.

Manchester City would need better fortune with injuries in the second half of the season and Rodri won't be returning for months yet. But for City, while they are still alive in the Champions League there will remain hope they might be able to win it for the second time in three seasons.

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Manchester City and Club Brugge.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: City are in the play-offs, which is a result in itself. We were in total control for most of the game. We have to make possession pay and we have to bring Haaland more into the play. This was all about belief. We wrote ourselves off and we have now written ourselves back in this with belief.

Timothy: I'm glad that we are through to the play-offs, but the way we are playing is worrying. If we do end up facing either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, we could get absolutely cooked in the play-offs if we aren't careful. We need to stop making defensive mistakes.

Sam: A much better second half to get us over the line. Savinho changed the game for us. We will need a miracle to still be in this competition after the play-off round with how our season is going but we should have never put ourselves in this position in the first place. So we only have ourselves to blame!

Ilyas: Manchester City started slowly and went a goal down early, but they responded well. It was a game that showed their resilience and squad depth, with substitutes making a real impact. Despite some nervy moments, they controlled the match well in the second half and got the job done.

Thursday's newspapers pointed to City surviving in the Champions League for now...

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This is FCSB's first ever meeting with Manchester United. The Romanian club have lost each of their past seven games against English sides by an aggregate score of 20-2.

Want to hear more analysis of a gripping night in the Champions League?

BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast has reaction to games involving Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Manchester City.

All four English clubs remain in the competition at the conclusion of the League Phase.

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Manchester United are in tentative talks with Barcelona over a loan move for 27-year-old forward Marcus Rashford, but there are doubts over whether the Spanish club will be able to complete the deal before Monday's deadline. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Arsenal and Chelsea are investigating a move for 19-year-old attacker Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, while Manchester United are also monitoring the player's situation. (Independent), external

Napoli have informed Alejandro Garnacho's representatives that they would be open to trying to sign him again if Manchester United reduce their demands. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Manchester City have now progressed from the Champions League group stage/league phase in each of the last 12 seasons.

Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are the only other teams to do so in each campaign since 2013-14.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports: "In the second half we lifted our soul and our hearts were free. For today, we are in the next round, that's good. The first half was so academic, we didn't have the spark to do it against a team that defends really well.

"Going to Bayern Munich or Real Madrid will be really tough but it's in two weeks and in two weeks we have a few players back, the new signings back, so hopefully we can do two good games."

On how much difference it will make to be able to register his new signings for the next round: "Of course, it's important. We suffered all season without players. To have these players, you have more alternatives. Hopefully, Jeremy [Doku] is back as well so we have players to do it and do our best."

On what this could do for Man City's season: "I don't know. It has been so unstable this season. Today is a sense of relief to qualify and of course, it is a long season for us."

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BBC Radio 5 Live's chief football correspondent John Murray, says it "is absolutely fascinating" that Manchester City could face Real Madrid for a place in the last-16.

"They have played each other in each of the last three seasons," said Murray. "Last season in the quarter-final it went to a penalty shootout and Bernardo Silva dinked his kick down the middle, and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior, with City winning one of them.

"The possibility of Real Madrid against Manchester City in the play-off round is absolutely fascinating given the recent history between the clubs.

"Those three games were absolute classics."

The draw for the play-off round will take place on Friday.

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Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic speaking to TNT Sports: "Every game in the Champions League is a tough one. We are through which is the most important thing. It was a tough group stage for us. Whoever comes next will be difficult so it doesn't matter. We conceded in the first half but we are happy that we could score and win this game and in the end we were half."

On manager Pep Guardiola's half-time team talk: "It was good because we came out very well. We knew we needed to step up. In the second half, we showed great character to win and go through. The crowd was behind us and there was an amazing atmosphere.

"It was important because we knew we are here to go through, we have a good team and we came back from 1-0 down. We know we are a great team."