City win UCL group at home against RB Leipzig, battling back from a two-goal deficit as the match progresses. Cityzens defeat the Bulls 3-2.
Stefan Ortega, who appears in place of Ederson, is entrusted to defend the gates of the Cityzens in this match. Joško Gvardiol, Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish come on in place of Nathan Ake, Jérémy Doku and Julian Alvarez.
The Etihad hosts look rather sleepy at the start of the match, as if they are playing again at midday. The visitors settle in quickly and open the scoring as early as the 13th minute. Loïs Openda beats Manuel Akanji in a struggle for the ball after a long throw-in, runs into the breakaway and hits the bottom corner of Ortega’s goal — 0:1.
City wake up after conceding a goal and unleash a flurry of attacks on their opponents, but they don’t break under the pressure.
Moreover, in the 33rd minute, Leipzig have an opportunity to break away. Openda slips away from Ruben Dias on the flank, breaks into the penalty area on the left edge, beats Gvardiol and shot into the near corner of the goal — 0:2.
The rest of the first half City knock on the closed door, and at half-time Josep Guardiola makes the first substitution and releases Ake instead of Dias. Doku and Alvarez soon come into the game as well.
And already in the 54th minute the Cityzens score one goal. Foden sends Erling Holand forward with a great pass down the middle, who coolly converts his moment — 1:2.
After Haaland’s goal, the hosts are encouraged and the game is on the backfoot. In the end, Red Bulls are unlucky. In the 70th minute, Foden receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area from Gvardiol, makes a dash to the back of the area and, not noticing the defenders, shoots — 2:2.
At the end of the match, City certainly look preferable, despite the goal cancelled due to offside by Fabio Carvalho for RB Leipzig.
In the end, the Cityzens press their rival. On 87 minutes, Alvarez shoots from the centre of the penalty area after Foden’s pass with a ricochet — 3:2.
City completely fail in the first half and are unprepared for RB Leipzig’s sharp counterattacking play. However, after the break, the Cityzens correct themselves, make a comeback and win UCL group.
