Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 3-2 RB Leipzig (UEFA Champions League)

Manchester City came back from 0-2 down to take all three points from RB Leipzig in a game of two halves at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

A late goal from Julian Alvarez completed a second-half comeback for the reigning Champions of Europe, with Phil Foden and Erling Haaland scoring the other two for Manchester City on a dramatic evening. City remain unbeaten at home in 2023 and have now also secured a first-place finish in the group stage of their UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Treble winners walked out for this UEFA Champions League fixture wearing a retro-inspired shirt, honouring Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, and Francis Lee – who now have statues outside of the Etihad Stadium.

As expected, Manchester City started the game controlling possession despite the RB Leipzig press which pushed the Blues back into their penalty area but Pep Guardiola’s men remained calm under pressure and always found a way out.

The visitors opened the scoring through Lois Openda in the 12th minute. Goalkeeper Janis Blaswich saw the Belgian forward on Manchester City’s defensive line and played the long straight pass to Openda, who shrugged off Manuel Akanji and found the bottom corner to take the lead.

Ruben Dias had a chance to equalise just minutes later after Bernardo Silva’s whipped cross found the defender unmarked in the penalty area. The Portugal international could only head the ball over, however, and a big chance had gone gaping.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 33rd minute and Openda had his second of the game. The ball was played down the Blues right side and the Leipzig man spun past Ruben Dias and chopped away from Josko Gvardiol before finding the back of the net.

It took Manchester City just nine minutes to get one back in the second half and it was the number nine with the goal. Phil Foden slipped in Erling Haaland who worked the ball onto his lethal left foot before placing it in the net for 1-2.

The ‘Stockport Iniesta’ found an equaliser for Manchester City after a sublime bit of footwork in the Leipzig penalty box. He picked up the ball from Josko Gvardiol, skipped past the oncoming defender, and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Leipzig thought they had a third through Liverpool loanee Fabio Carvalho. His one-two on the edge of the Manchester City box saw him in on goal as he found the bottom corner – only for the goal to be ruled out for offside when he initially picked up the ball.

Substitute Julian Alvarez scored a late goal to cap off a well-worked Manchester City move that showed how Pep Guardiola’s side can play when at their best. The Argentine was in the right place at the right time to finish off Phil Foden’s cross and score the winner of this nerve-wracking game.

On an eventful but successful evening’s work for Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, here is how we rated the individual performances of our stars!

Player Ratings

Stefan Ortega Moreno – 5

Didn’t make any big saves but was accurate with his passing. Not much he could do about the two goals.

Kyle Walker (C) – 4

Got caught high up the pitch for their second goal and was largely absent from the game.

Ruben Dias – 2

Fortunate not to get sent off and got turned too easily for their second goal. Substituted at the half-time interval.

Josko Gvardiol – 5.5

Found Phil Foden for his assist but committed too many errors in his game.

Manuel Akanji – 4

At fault for the first RB Leipzig goal. Struggled in midfield and wasn’t present in defence. Had a better second-half.

Rodri – 4

Gave the ball away too much. One of his poorer games in a Manchester City shirt.

Rico Lewis – 5.5

Struggled to get on the ball and influence the game but never stopped running. Missed a big chance in the first half.

Bernardo Silva – 5

Wasn’t on the ball enough and failed to create chances in the opposition’s final third.

Phil Foden – 8

Had a quiet first-half. Stepped up in the second for his goal and assist for Erling Haaland’s strike. More of the same in the midfield role and we could see plenty more opportunities for him.

Jack Grealish – 4

Rarely got past his man on the left and didn’t create anything.

Erling Haaland – 6

Took his goal well to get Manchester City back into the contest but was poor in the first-half.

Substitutes

Nathan Ake – 7

Made a real difference at the back and calmed everyone on the pitch when he came on at half-time for Ruben Dias. Control was regained when he came on.

Julian Alvarez – 7

Tried to make things happen in their third and pressed when needed. Scored the winner late in the second half. Much-needed energy provided.

Jeremy Doku – 6

Offered something different on the left and was always threatening when he got the ball.