Manchester City did what they needed to do on a night that felt more about survival than celebration. A 2-0 win over Galatasaray was enough to send Pep Guardiolaās side straight into the Champions League last 16, avoiding the extra playoff round that could have pushed a tired and broken squad closer to the edge. At full time, there was relief more than joy, and a sense that this team badly needs time, rest, and a bit of kindness from the football calendar.
For weeks now, fatigue has hung over City like a dark cloud. Almost every match seems to take another player away. Muscle injuries, knocks, and strains have become routine. Guardiola has spoken about it openly, sometimes calmly, sometimes with frustration barely hidden. This time, Jeremy Doku became the latest name added to the injury list, suffering a calf problem after producing the best moments of the game. The Belgian winger created both goals, then walked off injured, leaving everyone wondering how long he would now be missing.
The bigger picture, though, is that City now have free midweeks. No playoff matches. No extra European pressure. Just time to recover, train lightly, and try to put players back together. Watching other teams play from the sofa might not sound glamorous, but for Guardiola and his staff, it could be priceless. February looked frightening with its heavy schedule, and this result has softened the blow.
Cityās qualification path was not perfect. They lost games they were expected to win, including defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Bodo/Glimt, results that raised eyebrows across Europe. Some even called them embarrassing. Guardiola, of course, rejected that idea. He never publicly humiliates his team. Instead, he focused on the numbers. Sixteen points and a reasonable goal difference were enough to finish in the top eight. That was the target, and City reached it.
Still, the final moments were uncomfortable. After the match finished, players and staff were glued to their phones, checking scores elsewhere. Other results could still hurt them. The Swiss-style league format meant that one late goal in another stadium could change everything. In the dressing room, attention turned to Benfica against Real Madrid, a game loaded with tension. If Madrid found an equaliser, Cityās night could turn sour.
Instead, something extraordinary happened. Benficaās goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, went forward in the dying seconds and scored. The goal sent the stadium wild and sparked one of those famous Jose Mourinho touchline celebrations. Mourinho sprinted down the sideline like a man possessed, arms wide, face alive with emotion. For City, it was a moment of unexpected help from an old rival.
Guardiola smiled when asked about it later. He admitted City had no idea Benfica needed a goal. When they saw the goalkeeper upfield, they were confused. Why would a keeper go forward in such a situation? Then the ball went in. Guardiola joked that it was a good strategy from Jose. He even hinted that he might send Mourinho a message to say thank you. Football, once again, proved how strange and interconnected it can be.
Questions remain about the Champions League format itself. Two defeats, and yet automatic qualification. It feels odd to some supporters. In the past, such a record might have led to danger or elimination. But the rules are the rules, and City played what was in front of them. Now they wait to see which giant or surprise package will stand in their way next. Inter, Real Madrid, Benfica, or even Bodo/Glimt could be next. There will be no easy draw.
During the match itself, City were dominant early on. At half time, they were fourth in the live table, climbing seven places thanks to their two-goal lead. Galatasaray offered very little in response. Their supporters, hundreds of whom had found their way into the home sections, were loud but disappointed. They complained among themselves about the lack of fight from their team. Galatasaray showed no real bite, no aggression, no belief that they could hurt City.
Jeremy Doku was at the heart of everything good City did. Playing in a more central role, he looked unpredictable, quick, and dangerous. Earlier in the week, he had spoken about feeling more freedom in his game, about not even knowing what he would do next. On this night, that unpredictability worked perfectly. He drifted inside, linked with Rayan Cherki, and caused panic in the Galatasaray defence.
For the second goal, Doku spun Davinson Sanchez inside the box before laying the ball off to Cherki, who finished calmly. Sanchez looked dizzy, lost, unsure where Doku had gone. It was the kind of moment that makes defenders hate playing against tricky attackers. Some City fans were reminded of an old clip from years ago, when Ilkay Gundogan embarrassed Sanchez during his time at Tottenham. Football has a way of repeating itself.
The first goal came even earlier. Inside the centre circle, Doku sold Gundogan a dummy, creating space, then slid a perfect pass through to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker surged forward, calm and powerful, and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper. It was a classy finish, especially considering he had missed a clear chance in the opening minutes. It also ended a frustrating run without an open-play goal that had lasted more than a month.
Haalandās relief was obvious. He celebrated with controlled emotion, knowing how much pressure comes with being Cityās main scorer. When he does not score, the questions start. On this night, he answered them when it mattered.
Yet the joy was quickly tempered by worry. Dokuās injury overshadowed the goals he had created. A late challenge from Sanchez, who went through the back of him, forced him off. Guardiolaās face told the story. Another injury. Another setback. Another problem to solve with a squad already stretched thin.
There was also a feeling that this game suited a player who was not on the pitch. Oscar Bobb, whose City career is coming to an end, might have thrived in the pockets Doku and Cherki occupied. Bobb was at the Etihad to say goodbye to teammates before travelling to London for a medical with Fulham. The move is worth around Ā£27 million, though details about whether it is a permanent deal or a loan with an obligation remain unclear.
It is a sad ending in many ways. Bobb showed real promise before suffering a serious leg break last season. That injury changed everything. Still, his time at City will not be forgotten. Two years ago, his winning goal at Newcastle was crucial. Without it, City might not have gone on to win four league titles in a row. That moment alone ensures his place in the clubās recent history.
As the second half began, City looked strangely flat. This has become a worrying pattern. They often lose focus after the break, allowing opponents back into games. Galatasaray sensed an opportunity. Victor Osimhen tested Gianluigi Donnarumma with a low shot, forcing a sharp save. For a brief spell, Cityās midfield looked soft, open, and unsure.
Guardiola was animated on the touchline, shouting instructions, hopping in frustration. After the match, he admitted they missed too many clear chances. He also spoke about defensive problems caused by a lack of available players. The balance of the team is off. Injuries have taken away stability, and it shows in moments like these.
At times, City almost invited trouble. Their build-up play from the back lacked purpose. Passes went sideways or backwards without pressure, giving Galatasaray confidence. The visitors found space but lacked the quality to truly punish City. Still, it was uncomfortable to watch, especially for a crowd used to seeing their team control every detail of a match.
The game was also disrupted by ugly scenes off the ball. Pitch invaders carrying Kurdistan flags repeatedly interrupted play. Tension grew in the stands. At one point, a flare was thrown from the away section towards home supporters. Police moved in quickly, with dozens of officers trying to calm the situation. Objects were thrown, and seven arrests were made. It was a reminder that football, at times, carries dangers far beyond the pitch.
When the final whistle blew, there was relief inside the stadium. City had done enough. They were through. No playoffs. No extra games. Just time to breathe. Guardiola knows how valuable this pause could be. With players dropping every week, rest might be the only medicine left.
The Champions League now enters a more familiar stage. Knockout football. Two legs. High stakes. City will face one of Europeās strongest teams, and there will be no hiding place. But before that, there is recovery work to do. Medical rooms will be busy. Training sessions will be lighter. Guardiola will hope to welcome back some key names before the real battles begin.
This season has not been smooth. City have looked vulnerable in ways rarely seen under Guardiola. Injuries, fatigue, and inconsistency have tested his patience. Yet here they are, still alive in Europe, still fighting. Nights like this are not always pretty, but they count.
Pep Guardiola thanked an old enemy without even sharing the pitch. Jose Mourinho, once his fiercest rival, played a small but decisive role from afar. A goalkeeperās goal, a wild celebration, and a strange twist of fate helped Cityās cause. Football stories are often written like this, with unexpected heroes and strange alliances.
Now the focus shifts. City must use the time wisely. The free weeks are a gift, and wasting them would be a mistake. Every training session, every recovery day, every tactical adjustment matters. Guardiola knows it. His players feel it.
For Galatasaray, it was a disappointing end. They travelled with hope, passion, and noise, but left without offering much resistance. Their fans were loud, sometimes too loud, but the team failed to match that energy on the pitch. City were not at their best, yet still too strong.
As the stadium emptied and phones were put away, the sense remained that this was not a victory to celebrate wildly. It was a step forward, a necessary one. City are still patching themselves up, still searching for rhythm, still fighting against tired legs.
But they are through. And sometimes, in a season like this, that is enough.
