Manchester City faces tough competition for Champions League spots

In England, Manchester City played a tightly contested match against Brighton on Saturday, March 15, 2025, resulting in a 2-2 draw. The match, held at the Etihad Stadium, saw City first take the lead through Omar Marmoush after an earlier penalty by Erling Haaland was equalized by Brighton's Pervis Estupinan. However, City struggled to maintain their advantage, conceding an own goal from Abdukodir Khusanov that brought Brighton back into the game, leaving both teams sharing the points. This outcome left Manchester City outside the Premier League top four after a series of uncharacteristic results, and they are now locked in a competitive battle for Champions League qualification with clubs such as Brighton and others in the league. With only a narrow margin separating teams vying for European positions, the intensity of the matches is expected to rise as the season progresses. Marmoush expressed optimism that City can overcome this challenge, stating that they need to work hard, show quality, and regain their confidence on the ball. Meanwhile, Brighton, under the guidance of Hurzeler, is pushing to qualify for continental competition once again after their previous success in reaching the last 16 of the Europa League the previous year. The Seagulls are currently just a point behind Manchester City and aim for a higher finish, feeling eager to relive the exhilaration of competing in Europe.