Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has admitted that defeat at home to Club Brugge in the Champions League would be "painful", but elimination from the competition could actually benefit the club this season.
The Citizens find themselves in serious danger of crashing out of the Champions League in the newly-formed League Phase, as they currently sit in the elimination zone after accumulating just eight points from their seven matches, most recently losing 4-2 at Paris Saint-Germain last week.
Sitting 25th in the 36-team table with only one game remaining, Pep Guardiola's side are aware that they must win Wednesday's pivotal survival match at the Etihad Stadium against a Club Brugge outfit who are unbeaten in 20 games across all competitions and sit three points above them in 20th spot.
Man City were regarded as one of the favourites to win the Champions League this season - and have been ever since the arrival of Guardiola - and they were hoping to replicate their historic 2023 triumph.
However, in a campaign riddled with injuries and one in which the form of several senior stars has dipped dramatically - particularly towards the end of last year - Man City's aging squad are now fighting to secure a last-16 playoff spot in the Champions League.
Failure to finish in the top 24 would be viewed by many as an embarrassment for Man City and would see them fail to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 2012-13.
Could Champions League elimination benefit Man City?
However, with Man City now in a stage of transition - signing three new players this month with more expected to arrive between now and the end of next summer - some may argue that removing one competition from their hectic schedule could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
Guardiola and co will be keen to remain in the Champions League, but if they were to be eliminated, it would enable City to focus on their quest to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and potentially end the season on a high with FA Cup glory.
Discussing the pros and cons of Man City potentially exiting the Champions League, McInerney told Sports Mole: "I don't ever think City not being in the Champions League is a good thing. I'm a firm believer that playing top-quality games every few days is actually good when you want to win loads of trophies. I think it keeps you sharp.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that teams like Arsenal have sort of fallen off a little bit when they've had a week to prepare, because I think the sharpness and the mental focus that you get from playing every three or four days is why City have been so successful, because there's no let-up.
"I really do believe if you want to keep winning, smother yourself in big games, especially at the business end of the season. It's different this season for City, though. We're not going to win the league. We're not fighting on all fronts.
"You could argue, given the injuries that City have got this season, the very particular set of circumstances of tiredness and fatigue and age (of the squad), it could benefit City to actually be out of the Champions League for once.
"I don't usually believe that, but right now with the way that we're struggling with some of these players needing a little bit more time on the training pitch... I think Guardiola would love to have a week with Vitor Reis, [Omar] Marmoush, [Abdukodir] Khusanov and some of these young lads to actually do some coaching, not just recover.
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Will Man City avoid "painful" Club Brugge defeat?
"One thing that's lost these days is time to coach because they just don't have it, they don't have one-on-one sessions... I think that's the same for most managers by the way. I do think it's a bit of a shame because I think these younger players will take the hit of the increased schedule. You don't get one-on-one time, because you haven't got a week to prepare for a game.
"I think City could actually benefit from it. I don't want it to happen. My club don't need it to happen either, financially obviously, and also just in terms of sporting-wise - it's where City should be - but I understand the arguments either way.
"I don't think it'll hurt quite as much (exiting at this stage) because I don't expect City to have the quality this season to win the Champions League.
"Every year up until this year, I felt we could get to the semi-finals minimum, just because that's City's level, but this year I don't feel that way, so I won't lose any sleep if we don't. Having said that, we better not lose to Club Brugge at the Etihad - that would be painful!"
McInerney has also shared his thoughts on how Man City could line up against Belgian side Club Brugge after coming from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Premier League last weekend.
New signings Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov were both handed their full debuts against Chelsea, but they are ineligible for Wednesday's Champions League clash along with fellow new arrival Vitor Reis, while Jeremy Doku has been ruled out for "a while" by Guardiola due to injury.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion ahead of Man City's clash with Club Brugge.
Oliver Thomas
