Champions League: Man City manager Pep Guardiola on ‘opportunity’ against Club Brugge

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has described his side’s Champions League situation as “not a problem” but “an opportunity” as they look to avoid exiting the competition at the group stage.

The 2022-23 champions are 25th in the 36-team league, two points out of the positions that qualify for the knockout phase play-offs.

They must beat Belgians Club Brugge at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to avoid being eliminated at the group stage.

“The situation that we have is that we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition,” Guardiola said.

“We want to have another chance to play another two games, to have the chance of the next stages. It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.”

Manchester City have received an injury boost before the game with Guardiola confirming Oscar Bobb will be available for selection.

The midfielder has spent five months on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his leg last summer.

City reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last term and Guardiola, who has won the Champions League three times as a manager, is treating the game like a knockout fixture.

He added: “These type of games I’ve played many times. Sooner or later you have to play them where if you win you go through and if you don’t you go out.

“We are here for the reasons we know, that we have not been good enough, and this is a situation we have lived many times.”