Champions League: Why Man City Could Miss Out Next Season Even if They Win EPL

Champions League: Why Man City Could Miss Out Next Season Even if They Win EPL

Fred Kennedy
updated at February 13, 2024 at 11:54 AM
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  • Manchester City are expected to finish in the top four at the end of the season
  • However, they could lose a spot in the UEFA Champions League due to Girona
  • The City Football Group owns both clubs and both of them are performing well

Manchester City are reportedly facing the prospect of missing out on UEFA Champions League football next season - even if they win the Premier League.

City, who won both the EPL and the UCL titles last season, have already hit the ground running this season with a string of impressive performances.

The UEFA Champions League trophy is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League Draw at Salle des Princes. Photo by Valerio Pennicino.
The UEFA Champions League trophy is seen prior to the UEFA Champions League Draw at Salle des Princes. Photo by Valerio Pennicino.
Source: Getty Images

The Pep Guardiola-tutored side are currently topping the charts with 27 points, a point ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, per the BBC.

The reigning European treble-winners have won nine of their last 11 games in the English top flight, with the other two of them ending in defeats.

Man City are enjoying a fine run of form in the Champions League as well and they are currently topping Group G with 12 points.

Going by their current form, all signs point at them possibly challenging for both titles again this season.

Man City's UCL dilemma

However, winning the Premier League may not count as much, given that they could miss out on the top tier of European football regardless of their performance.

Sportbible reports that with City expected to finish in the top four, a Champions League dilemma could be presented to the club's owners, the City Football Group.

This is owing to Girona's spectacular start to their La Liga campaign. The Spanish side tops the standings with 31 points, meaning they could also qualify for the UCL.

However, their association with Man City's owners could mean that one of the two clubs could miss out on a UCL spot. UEFA guidelines forbid owners to have more than two teams in the same European competition.

As such, the City Football Group could attempt to circumvent this by potentially selling Girona or reducing their shares to minority stakeholders.

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Haaland copies Drogba during UCL clash

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Erling Haaland choosing Didier Drogba's celebration over Gary Lineker's after scoring his first goal since the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The Man City ace chose the Ivorian legend's celebration after scoring a penalty, a gesture widely praised by Chelsea fans who cheekily claimed their ex-player is his idol.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team
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