UCL: Manchester City Begins Title Defence With Victory

Defending champions Manchester City started its UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3-1 victory against Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade, courtesy of goals from Julian Alvarez and Rodri, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.

MAnchester City started stronger,  but Red Star Belgrade stood firm and took the lead just before halftime, when Osman Bukari’s strike was allowed to stand after a VAR review for offside.

In the second half, Argentine World Cup winner Alvarez scored within two minutes of the restart as the striker rounded goalkeeper Omri Glazer to equalise for Manchester City.

Manchester City came out firing and weren’t done yet as they looked to take the lead.

• Read more: Manchester City Manager Hopeful Of Retaining UEFA Champions League

Striker Alvarez scored City’s second when Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper Omri Glazer made an error after punching the Argentine’s free-kick into his own net in the 60th minute.

Manchester City put the icing on the cake in the 73rd minute when Rodri produced a trademark strike after curling the ball into the net, beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

The defending champions have now extended its unbeaten run at home in the UEFA Champions League to 27 matches.

We’re all @PhilFoden here, right? 😆

🔵 3-1 🔴 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/7EnsM1MzgG

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 19, 2023

Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results

Feyenoord 2-0 Celtic

Lazio 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Milan 0-0 Newcastle

PSG 2-0 Dortmund

Young Boys 1-3 Leipzig

Manchester City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade

Barcelona 5-0 Royal Antwerp

Shakhtar 1-3 FC Porto.