UCL: Manchester City Fights Back To Beat Leipzig
Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez scored in the 87th minute as the European champions fought back from two goals down to beat RB Leipzig 3-2, clinching the top spot in UEFA Champions League Group G at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.
The hosts featured Haaland in attack, with Phil Foden and Jack Grealish supporting on the wings. For the visitors, Lios Openda started up-front, while Xavi Simons and Emil Forsberg were on the flanks.
Openda pounced on a pair of City defensive blunders for both Leipzig goals, sprinting onto a long ball from goalkeeper Janis Blaswich that bounced over a defender Manuel Akanji in the 13th minute. He struck again with seemingly similar ease in the 33rd, spinning around Ruben Dias en route to scoring.
City came out with a point to prove in the second half and they were rewarded for their resilience, hardwork and determination.
Haaland gave City fans something to cheer in the 54th minute when he ran onto a pass from Foden and struck a low left-foot shot into the net.
Manchester City weren’t stopping there and continued to press on for an equaliser.
City then levelled with Foden’s excellent first touch and finish in the 70th and Alvarez fired the hosts ahead when Foden’s pass was deflected into his path for a close-range effort.
The hosts turned the game around in spectacular fashion, showing what champions are made. It was Pep Guardiola’s second comeback from a two-goal deficit in his UEFA Champions League managerial career, after his Bayern Munich side rallied to beat Juventus in the 2016 quarter-finals.
“We had to be as relaxed as possible and we reacted really well,” Guardiola said in an interview. “We are first in the group and I am very satisfied for the reaction at the end. The team runs and fights and has spirit.”
Manchester City finish the group stage at Red Star Belgrade on December 13th.
Young Boys, who are third on four points, secured a place in the Europa league knockout round playoffs with a 2-0 home win over Red Star. The Belgrade side are bottom with one point.
Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results
Lazio 2-0 Celtic
Feyenoord 1-3 Atletico Madrid
Milan 1-3 Dortmund
PSG 1-1 Newcastle
Manchester City 3-2 Leipzig
Young Boys 2-0 Red Star Belgrade
Shakhtar 1-0 Royal Antwerp
Barcelona 2-1 FC Porto.
