RB Leipzig vs Manchester City. UEFA Champions League Group G.
Red Bull ArenaAttendance45,228.
Match report as Manchester City earned deserved 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League; Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku on target for Pep Guardiola's side; Lois Openda had equalised for Leipzig against the run of play; City are top of Group G after two matches
Thursday 5 October 2023 08:38, UK
Late goals from substitutes Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku gave Manchester City a deserved 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
After back-to-back domestic losses to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and Wolves in the Premier League, City travelled to Germany at risk of suffering a third consecutive defeat in all competitions for the first time since April 2018, but that possibility was shut down by the European champions at the Red Bull Arena.
They were given a brief scare when Lois Openda converted Leipzig's first shot on target shortly after half-time (48) to cancel out Phil Foden's impressive opener before the break (25), but it was business as usual for Pep Guardiola's side as Alvarez, brought on for Foden in the 79th minute, curled a stunning strike into the far corner to restore City's lead (84).
Earlier, Foden hit the bar from an inswinging free-kick and Erling Haaland missed a host of chances as City dominated but struggled to score a second, but Alvarez's goal made the difference and the result was put beyond doubt when he teed up fellow substitute Doku to calmly slot home a clinical counter-attack in stoppage time (90+2).
The win puts City top of Group G with six points from two matches. Leipzig are second, two points ahead of Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys.
It did not seem as though City would require late heroics from the bench given their complete dominance in the first half. The presence of Rodri, who is currently serving a domestic ban, brought a noticeable calm that was missing in his absence in Saturday's defeat at Molineux.
Yet it was Rico Lewis, playing alongside him in midfield, who caught the eye with his determination to win possession and some driving runs. Lewis had City's first serious opportunity after a nice turn in the area but his shot was blocked.
City's opener came after 25 minutes from another attack instigated by Lewis. The lively youngster pushed forward and played a one-two with Silva before pulling back for Foden in the area. The England international met it with a first-time shot that bounced beyond Janis Blaswich.
City pushed for a second before the break, with Haaland twice breaking free on the left but the Norwegian first shot wide and was then denied by Blaswich.
It was not until the final minute of the first half that Leipzig had an effort on goal when Openda's long-range shot was deflected over and City reached the break having been completely untroubled.
All their good work was undone within moments of the restart as Jack Grealish misplaced a pass allowing Leipzig to counter-attack. Yussuf Poulsen released Openda and the Belgium international raced through to beat Ederson with a low shot that went in off the base of the post.
Haaland threatened to restore City's lead when he fired wide and then spurned an even better chance when he missed the target from a Foden cross. Foden went closer when he curled a free-kick against the bar from a wide angle but Haaland's frustration continued as he shot at Blaswich and skewed another effort over.
City were caught on the break again but were reprieved when Emil Forsberg failed to find a team-mate in the box and Ederson needed to punch clear after substitute Timo Werner broke free.
Guardiola's changes made the difference as Doku teed up Alvarez to clip a fine shot over Blaswich from the edge of the area. Doku then put the seal on victory when he finished off a quick break in the 92nd minute as Leipzig paid the price for pushing players forward.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola told TNT Sports: "We played a fantastic game in all departments. Everyone was perfect.
"The substitutes all came off the bench with smiles on their faces, not complaining because they did not start.
"I will not judge my team on results. Both games previously were not the best results but it is not easy when both teams defend with 10 in the box. It happens. There are many games.
"Despite that, if you think I will doubt my players, you are wrong. I rely on these guys unconditionally. They prove it. We go to Arsenal next, rest and hopefully in May we will arrive in the competitions.
On the performance of player-of-the-match Rico Lewis, Guardiola said: "Wow! He is an amazing, outstanding player. I have been a manager for many years. To find a player who moves really well, difficult to find someone like him. He is 18 years old. He is a fantastic player."
Manchester City forward Phil Foden told TNT Sports: "The last two games have not been ideal for us. We came off the back of two rubbish results and we had to make that right."
"We know what Leipzig are about. Last time we played them, we were very good in the first half and then they came out in the second and performed."
On Julian Alvarez and Rico Lewis, Foden added: "Julian was magical. He has been top this season. He is someone we look to now to score the big goals. He came on and changed the game and he is a big player for us.
"Rico was brilliant for us too. He broke a lot of lines. I am happy for him and it is nice to have another academy player on the pitch with me."
RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose said: "Manchester City deserved to win, even if it was 1-1 in the 83rd minute and we had hoped to hold on until the end.
"We did well after the break and got our equaliser. It was then an open game then but City put us under pressure at the death again. We are learning from the best."
Manchester City's next assignment is a huge Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, live on Sky Sports from 4pm on Super Sunday (kick-off 4.30pm).
Pep Guardiola's side then host Brighton in the Premier League on October 21 (kick-off 3pm) before returning to Champions League action on October 25 with a trip to Young Boys (kick-off 8pm).
Up next for RB Leipzig is a home Bundesliga against VfL Bochum on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm). They then travel to SV Darmstadt 98 in the league on October 21 (kick-off 2.30pm) before hosting Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on October 25 (kick-off 8pm).
