Champions League fate is in our hands, says Grealish | OneFootball

Jack Grealish has reiterated the importance of next week's Champions League clash with Club Brugge after the 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Englishman came off the bench at half-time at Parc des Princes to drill us ahead with his first touch of the ball, before playing a huge part in setting up our second through Erling Haaland.

However, a flurry of PSG goals turned the game on its head, with Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos on target for the hosts to drop City out of the play-off positions.

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Despite this, Pep Guardiola's side know victory over Club Brugge next Wednesday would see us leapfrog the Belgian side into the top 24 to seal progression into the play-off round.

"Usually, in these moments, we’re so good. It’s happened too many times this season when we go one, two or even three goals up, like against Feyenoord, and we’ve not been able to control the game and see it out," said Grealish.

"It’s weird because in every other season we’ve been so good in these moments and managing the game. I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing. Because for most of this season, especially before Christmas, we weren’t at the levels we know we can reach.

"I think it’s down to ourselves to try and change that moving forward and to try and win the game next week.

"We’ve had big pressure games in recent seasons where we turned up. Brugge are a good team and have had good results in the Champions League this year.

"It’s down to us. We’re really good at home so hopefully we can prepare for this weekend against Chelsea and then all eyes will be on that game. Fingers crossed."

City have now dropped eight points from winning positions in the competition this season after Luis Enrique's side shifted momentum in a thrilling second period in Paris.

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Grealish was downbeat after the defeat but did reserve some praise for the energy and intensity of the Ligue 1 champions, who also hit the woodwork twice in the pouring rain.

"We have so many players on the pitch when we went 2-0 up that are so good with the ball and for keeping the ball. That’s down to ourselves. Even when I came on, I didn’t touch the ball for a while. I wanted to get a few touches to get in the game, and then I scored and the next action we scored again.

"At this moment I was thinking it’s all going to plan. I thought it was perfect. I’m good in these moments to keep the ball and we didn’t do it, simple as that. When they had the ball they were showing for it all the time and people wanting the ball and keeping it.

"Credit to Paris they were so good and very energetic and a lot better than I thought, not in a bad way. They were top tonight, a really good team, and I think they deserved to win."