Pep Guardiola Reveals What He Told His Players at Half-Time That Completely Changed Their Morale in the Second Half
Manchester City showcased their resilience and attacking brilliance with a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win Champions League encounter at the Etihad Stadium. After falling behind to a Raphael Onyedika goal just before half-time, Pep Guardiola’s tactical adjustments and motivational team talk inspired his side to a dominant turnaround.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola revealed the exact words he used at half-time to lift his players’ spirits and spark their resurgence. His message of belief, patience, and tactical discipline proved crucial as City stormed back with goals from Mateo Kovačić, an own goal by Joel Ordóñez, and a decisive strike from substitute Savinho.
A Frustrating First Half and Brugge’s Shock Goal
City started the match in control, dictating possession and creating multiple chances. Erling Haaland saw an early shot saved by Simon Mignolet, while Phil Foden rattled the post in the 30th minute. Despite their dominance, City struggled to break through Brugge’s compact defensive setup.
Just when it seemed the teams would head into the break level, Brugge delivered a stunning blow. In the 45th minute, a swift counter-attack saw Hans Vanaken play a precise through ball to Raphael Onyedika, who raced into the box and slotted past Ederson. The goal left the Etihad stunned and put City’s Champions League hopes in jeopardy.
Guardiola’s Half-Time Message: “Stay Calm, Trust Ourselves”
With City trailing 1-0, Guardiola remained composed in the dressing room and delivered a message that shifted the game’s momentum.
“I told them, ‘We are playing well, but we need to be sharper in the final third. Stay calm, trust in our quality, and the goals will come.’ We made one mistake, and they punished us, but we still had 45 minutes to put things right,” Guardiola said after the match.
The City boss also made a crucial tactical change, bringing on Savinho for Ilkay Gündogan to add more direct attacking threat on the wing. He instructed John Stones to push higher into midfield and urged his full-backs to create more width.
A Dominant Second-Half Performance
City responded immediately after the restart, playing with increased intensity and urgency. In the 53rd minute, the equalizer arrived. John Stones, stepping forward from defense, played a perfectly weighted pass to Mateo Kovačić, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The goal lifted City’s spirits and put Brugge on the back foot.
The pressure on the Belgian side mounted, and in the 72nd minute, City completed the turnaround. A dangerous cross from Joško Gvardiol into the penalty area forced Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez into an awkward clearance attempt, which ended up in his own net. The Etihad erupted as City took a deserved 2-1 lead.
With the visitors now chasing the game, City sealed the victory in the 77th minute. Savinho, who had been a lively presence since coming on, picked up a pass from Bernardo Silva, dribbled past his marker, and fired a precise shot past Mignolet to make it 3-1. The Brazilian’s goal capped off a sensational second-half performance.
Guardiola’s Reflection on the Comeback
After the game, Guardiola praised his team’s mentality and execution.
“It was never about tactics alone—it was about belief. We knew the goals would come if we stayed patient and played with intelligence. The second half was a perfect reaction, and I’m proud of how we responded under pressure,” he said.
With the victory, City secured a vital three points in their Champions League campaign, proving once again why they remain one of Europe’s most formidable sides under Guardiola. As the competition progresses, performances like this will be crucial in their pursuit of continental glory.
