Manchester City made light work of Galatasaray as they sneaked into the top eight of the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s side had faced the potential of a two-legged play-off in February after their shock defeat at Bodo/Glimt, but comfortably saw off Galatasaray before Benfica’s dramatic win over Real Madrid ensured the Blues progressed automatically.
“It is better to rest,” said Guardiola. “In the end, the margins have been [close].
“It doesn’t matter if we play play-off or don’t – it is arriving in that moment the best way with players fit and in the best condition.
“Considering how many top, top teams are out of the eight, I know how difficult it is. Even winning in Norway is difficult.”
City should have taken the lead inside the opening three minutes against Galatasaray, but Erling Haaland headed Rayan Ait-Nouri’s pin-point cross wide from eight yards out.
The Norwegian made up for that miss by latching on to Jeremy Doku’s through ball and dinking a delightful finish over the onrushing Ugurcan Cakir to end his barren run in open play.
Nico O’Reilly’s thunderous long-range drive was then tipped over by Cakir, but the dominant hosts doubled the advantage on the half-hour mark as Doku laid the ball off for Rayan Cherki to smash home an unerring finish.
Having provided the assists for both goals, Doku hobbled off on 37 minutes with a calf injury and is likely to miss Sunday’s trip to Tottenham.
Nigeria international Victor Osimhen had Galatasaray’s best chances but his flicked header and low drive were both kept out by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Man City analysis: Relief to avoid play-offs – just
In the first meeting between these sides, City exerted their authority from the off and there was no doubting the result once they went in front.
Their hopes of automatic progression had been in peril after being stunned in Norway last week, and they had to wait for almost 10 minutes after this match finished before their fate was confirmed, as a draw for Real would have edged City into ninth.
Two first-half goals provided much-needed relief, ensuring Guardiola’s men do not have to play an extra two European games next month – a hurdle which proved their undoing against Real Madrid last season.
Haaland’s early miss typified his recent form in front of goal – heading wide when under no pressure – but his cool finish on 10 minutes was a welcome return to form.
This was just his second goal in his past nine games in all competitions – and his first in open play since 20 December.
It also allowed the 25-year-old to continue his incredible scoring record at home in the competition, with 36 goals in his 28 matches on home turf.
City will now wait to see who they face in the last 16 of the competition, playing one of the sides that will emerge from the play-offs.
Guardiola added: “A lot of things to improve but really pleased to finish top eight considering how the Champions League has become.
“When I started 16-17 years ago, the Champions League was another type of competition. Today every team is really, really tough.
“Really pleased we don’t play knockout stage and hopefully we can arrive in March at our best.”
