There was relief in the Manchester City dressing room after their Champions League escape act vs Club Brugge - which quickly turned to defiance as the squad made their way out of the Etihad.

City went into the final game of their League Phase campaign knowing anything but a win would see them crash out in embarrassing fashion, with Brugge's first-half goal leaving them staring at the worst-case scenario.

But three goals saved their skin and set up a play-off against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola paused at full-time to check the other Champions League scores, before informing his players on the pitch of their potential opponents. The Etihad announcer told supporters who awaited in the next round, with a mixed response from the crowd as Brugge waited for confirmation of their own progression in front of their travelling fans.

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It was an anti-climactic mood at full-time, with City pleased to progress but wary of the play-offs and aware their path into the knockout stages should have been sealed much earlier.

Manu Akanji admitted there were mixed emotions when asked if he was relieved: "Yeah, [and] happy. Happy that we made it to the playoffs. Obviously we wish we would have made it to the top eight but we couldn't change it anymore.

"[The group stage] wasn't the way that we wanted it to be but here we are right now and I'm still confident we can beat whoever comes next. Obviously they're not the teams you want to face [Real Madrid or Bayern] but whoever it is we're looking forward to the challenge and I think we can beat every team in Europe."

Goalscorer Mateo Kovacic added: "We didn’t want to be in this situation but that’s football and in the end, we showed real character and great desire." Game-changer Savinho said he was 'thankful' City went through, and joined Akanji in saying they are still in 'game by game' mode in terms of improving their form.

Guardiola admitted to his mid-game doubts and also said Bayern and Real are currently better than his City side - but he hopes for that gap to close when his injured players return and new signings can be registered. Yet despite the acknowledgement of where City stand compared to their next opponents, the squad insist they are ready for whoever awaits in the play-offs - plus their tricky run of games with Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

"We're definitely ready," said a frustrated Akanji at the suggestion City have slipped since last facing Real last season when the sides met in the last eight of the Champions League. "Even though we didn't play as good as we used to to [this season] I think no team wants to face us.

"I think we can beat every team in Europe so whoever comes we're ready for the challenge. I still think if we give it our all and we all work together on the pitch we are still one of the best teams in Europe but we have to prove it match after match. We didn't do that yet this year but I still think we're capable of it."

Kovacic was more punchy.; "Now we wait for what’s next – whoever it is, it will be a tough and difficult game. It will be a big game. This team belongs in the Champions League – these kinds of players belong there, and we’ve showed that we want to be there.”

And Akanji left with a word of optimism heading to the Emirates on Sunday.

"Good results always make the mood better than when you lose. I hope we can keep it going, I hope we can do everything together. Hopefully the danger players we have coming back can stay healthy. And then we're going to be even better."