Crisis averted then for Manchester City. Or perhaps that should read crisis postponed? The champions of England escaped the league phase and through a certain prism, there is a case to be made that Pep Guardiola's side are well into the post-nadir period of their season.

Pep Guardiola has said he doesn't think Manchester City can win the Champions League this season after they scraped into the play-off round to book a tie against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola said he is aware of the financial implications of failing to reach the Champions League knockout stages as his side head into Wednesday's final group game against Club Brugge needing a win to stay in the hunt.