RB Leipzig squanders 2:0 lead at Manchester City
For 45 minutes, RB Leipzig caused great astonishment in the Champions League. The Bundesliga club took a commanding lead at half-time against Manchester City. But then the Skyblues turned up the heat and disillusioned the Saxons with a world champion just before the end.
Another defeat, but another embarrassment avoided: RB Leipzig missed out on revenge for the 7-0 debacle in the Champions League on their return to the Etihad Stadium. Despite leading 2-0, coach Marco Rose's team lost 3-2 (2-0) at defending champions Manchester City, who had overrun the Saxons at the same venue eight months earlier.
City goalscorer Erling Haaland (54'), Phil Foden (70') and Julian Alvarez (87') turned the game around for Pep Guardiola's team, who secured group victory ahead of time with the win. In contrast to their humiliation in the second leg of the round of 16 last season, Leipzig put up an impressive fight for a long time in Manchester this time around, with double-wrapper Lois Openda (13-33) initially putting RB ahead. The two teams had already secured their tickets for the knockout round before the clash.
"We want to show ourselves there, prove ourselves"
Nevertheless, Rose emphasized that the trip to Manchester was "not a class trip": "We want to show ourselves there, prove ourselves." The RB coach had to do without striker Timo Werner, while Benjamin Sesko and Kevin Kampl, who had been struggling recently, initially took their places on the bench. Leipzig, who had lost the first leg 3-1, took Rose's words to heart and boldly ran at the hosts. The first shot belonged to City, however, but Bernardo Silva's shot was blocked (3'). RB also had a good opportunity a little later in a lively opening phase, but Xavi Simons' attempt went wide right (5').
RB did not hide away from the defending champions and Openda struck: after a long ball from keeper Janis Blaswich, the striker slipped past City defender Manuel Akanji and slotted home from the bottom right. Manchester tried to equalize, but Rico Lewis shot over from close range (30'). Instead, Openda popped up in the opposition penalty area again. The Belgian left ex-Leipzig player Josko Gvardiol standing and increased his tally before the break.
Leipzig remained alert in the second half, but City now repeatedly pushed RB deep into their own half. Manchester dominated the game, Leipzig continued to defend combatively. However, Haaland finally scored the equalizer after a pass from Foden, and a little later the man who had provided the assist was successful himself. Shortly afterwards, Simons caused another scare for Leipzig: The attacking player was forced to leave the field after a collision with Akanji. Fabio Carvalho's goal was disallowed for offside and, shortly before the end, world champion Alvarez struck
Source: www.ntv.de
