Mateo Kovacic reacts as Man City discover potential Champions League opponents: 'It doesn't matter'

Evening Standard

·29 gennaio 2025

Mateo Kovacic reacts as Man City discover potential Champions League opponents: 'It doesn't matter'

Man City are guaranteed a tough assignment in the Champions League play-off round

Mateo Kovacic has delivered his reaction to Manchester City’s potential Champions League play-off opponents.

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City went into the final round of fixtures in the League Phase sitting 25th in the table and were on the brink of a shock exit as they trailed at half-time against Club Brugge.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side rallied in the second half as strikes from Mateo Kovacic and Savinho either side of Joel Ordonez’s own goal completed the turnaround.

Surprisingly that was City’s first Champions League win since October and as a result, of finishing 22nd in the league phase, they are guaranteed to be handed a tough assignment in the play-off stage.

As confirmed by UEFA, City will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich who finished 11th and 12th respectively.

The prospect of a two-legged tie against a fellow European heavyweight next month was put to Kovacic by TNT Sports at the final whistle and he said: “Every team in the Champions League is a tough one so first of all we are happy that we are through now because it was a tough group stage.

“For us it was not easy. We are through which is the most important and whoever comes [in the play-off stage] will be difficult so it doesn’t matter.”

Mateo Kovacic started Man City’s comeback against Club Brugge.

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The draw for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs will take place at 11am GMT on Friday January 31, 2025.

The first legs will be played on either Tuesday February 11 or Wednesday February 12, with the reverse fixtures taking place a week later.

As Man City haven’t been seeded, they’ll be at home for the first leg against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich with that game falling between an FA Cup fourth round tie away at Leyton Orient and the Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.