Manchester City back to winning ways with victory over RB Leipzig

By Laura Graves - 4 October 2023, 21:01

Manchester City played a revamped side against RB Leipzig during match day 2 of the Champions League.

While Bernardo and Rodri returned to the starting XI, John Stones returned to the City bench.

A brilliant chance emerged for the Blues to take the lead early on as Rico Lewis finds himself in the middle of the 6-yard-box but he’s too slow to take the shot. The keeper got his hand to it and Foden too an ambitious shot on the rebound but it’s wide.

Manchester City asserted their dominance from the get go through possession as RB Leipzig looked to counter.

However, Phil Foden opened the scoring and put the Blues ahead on the 25th minute.

The fast-paced move came down the right side. Rico Lewis whipped the ball into the box as Foden met it sweetly to smash it home.

Two City academy Manchester lads involved in a Champions League goal – we love to see it.

Usual play quickly resumed control through possession and passing, while Leipzig waited for their counter opportunities.

Manchester City went into the break with the lead.

However, RB Leipzig did what they do and they levelled up just two minutes after the break. Following a misplaced Grealish pass, the opposition countered rapidly and Dias or Akanji could not stop it.

Scoring with their first shot on target, they made it 1-1 at 47 minutes.

Foden was involved in it all. The Blues continued to push for their second and most shots came from little Phil who hit the crossbar following a fantastic free-kick.

Nevertheless, Leipzig looked dangerous on the counter as they saw their opening to take all three points.

Akanji and Grealish made way for Ake and Doku with just over 15 minutes to go, with the hosts making changes of their own. The next change came with just over 10 minutes to go as Alvarez came on for Foden.

Rico Lewis, who had been absolutely phenomenal, slipped the ball through to Haaland but he forgot to eat liver this morning. He had some great chances but it just was not his day.

His counterpart however, had his scoring boots on. This time it came down the left as Doku brings in Alvarez who scores a wonderful goal from the edge of the box – it’s like watching Aguero – the body shape.

Wonderful stuff as Alvarez put the Blues back ahead.

With just a few minutes left, Bernardo was taken off and Nunes got some minutes in.

RB Leipzig risked it all as they sought a late equaliser. But it left them vulnerable and a City counter ensued with Haaland, Alvarez and ending with a Doku goal. A third for Manchester City.