RB Leipzig vs Manchester City. UEFA Champions League. Match report as Man City beat RB Leipzig in Champions League; Castello Lukeba scored own goal to give City lead; Ridle Baku caught out Gianluigi Donnarumma for equaliser; Enzo Fernandez headed Man City back in front; Antonio Nusa levelled; Erling Haaland tapped in winner Erling Haaland haunted RB Leipzig again to earn Manchester City a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Champions League. Haaland netted 12 minutes from time, tapping in from Elliot Anderson’s low cross, for his 13th goal in nine appearances against the Bundesliga side, his most against any opponent in his career, which returned City to winning ways after their defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
City made hard work of the tie in which they led twice, having been gifted a first-half opener when Castello Lukeba comically turned the ball into his own net after Leipzig had been on top with Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa going close. Gianluigi Donnarumma made a top save to deny Baumgartner at the start of the second half but seconds later the Man City goalkeeper was caught out at his near post by Ridle Baku’s smart finish, the right-back tucking the ball in from a tight angle when everyone expected him to cross low into the middle. The tie burst into life from there with Haaland, a bystander in the first half with just three touches, denied with his first chance, before Enzo Fernandez gave City the lead again, arriving in the box to power a header home from Iliman Ndiaye’s perfect cross. But within three minutes, Leipzig were level once more as Nusa grabbed himself a deserved goal, firing low across Donnarumma into the bottom right corner from inside the box.
City were spurred into their best spell of the game after that, helped by the introduction of Jeremy Doku, as Anderson set up Haaland, who couldn’t miss from close range. Leipzig’s David Raum and City’s Rayan Cherki still rattled the woodwork at both ends in a frantic finale as the visitors held on to move up to seventh in the league phase table. “Manchester City may have escaped Leipzig with three points but Gianluigi Donnarumma is doing little to convince that he is the reliable last line of defence. “Another night, another collection of uncomfortable moments for the Italian.
He was directly culpable for Leipzig’s opening goal, getting himself into a muddle when the situation demanded composure from a cross from the right. It was a strange goal to concede. “And it was hardly an isolated wobble. His handling looked uncertain on several occasions, while his decision-making invited pressure rather than easing it.
David Raum nearly punished another moment of indecision when his free-kick rattled the crossbar, with Donnarumma looking anything but convincing.” Manchester City striker Erling Haaland: “I think it is the most I have scored against a club. I have played so many times against them in the Champions League with City and Borussia Dortmund too. Leipzig is a good team so I am happy.” On Elliot Anderson: “He has had an amazing start to his City career and that is what you expect. You have to come straight in and perform.
It is not easy to come in, you need to adapt and new players and a new coach, so he has been impressive. Respect.” On Man City performance: “Not sure how many touches I had today, not the most but what is the most important is that I managed to help the team to win. I think we need to step up a bit. When we were 1-0 up I think we needed to go at it, go for the second goal and then the third – that’s what we have to do.
We have to work on that.” Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca: “Tough game in some moments. We controlled quite well but some moments we struggled. Champions League, Germany away, it’s tough so happy with the three points. “They are well organised, they were aggressive and dangerous with the wingers.
We needed to be careful on transition. Happy with the three points and now we recover and move on.” Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.
