Highlights
- RB Leipzig: Blaswich, Orban, Forsberg, Werner, Klostermann, Szoboszlai, Silva, Holstenberg, Schlager, Laimer, Gvadriol
- Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland
- 27’ | RBL 0-1 MCI - Riyad Mahrez scores
- 70’ | RBL 1-1 MCI - Josko Gvardiol scores
Welcome to Sportstar’s highlights from the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City.
A solitary goal from Lukaku in the 86th minute proved enough for Inter Milan to seal the first leg. Porto was set back by a red card to Otavio. The second leg in Lisbon in three weeks.
That’s the full time whistle. Leipzig tries for a counter from the corner but Dias hacks the ball clear from the penalty area. City players till in disbelief over the disallowed penalty. The match was a tale of two halves. City dominating the first and Leipzig coming out stronger in the second. Pep cuts a rather grim figure as he goes back to the dugout, but not before a word of congrats for his counter part. His team have the advantage, one might say, given the second leg is at Etihad. But Leipzig, as it displayed in the second half, can pack a punch if it finds its tuning.
City tries a set-piece routine. Mahrez first passes to Silva on the edge of the box before getting it back. The ball is then sent in and gets a header but hits a Leipzig shirt. There are loud appeals for a handball but the referee denies them.
Laimer concedes a corner in the last minute of the game.
Two minutes of injury time signalled by the fourth official.
IN - Raum | OUT - Holstenberg
That is the fifth and final change for Rose’s side. Pep on the other end has not made a single substitution so far.
A heated exchange between Grealish and Poulsen. The referee quickly gets in between and settles the matter.
Two changes for Leipzig. IN - Poulsen, Haidara | OUT - Silva, Schlager
Blaswich with a wonderful save! Grealish gets the ball on the left wing and he moves into the penalty area. He cuts it back for Gundogan who takes the pass on his right foot, turns, drops his shoulder and shoots. Blaswich has to go full stretch on his left to make the save. Brilliant!
GVARDIOL GETS LEIPZIG LEVEL! It is 1-1 at the Red Bull Arena. A thunderous strike from Szoboszlai forces a save from Ederson and wins a corner for the home team. From the corner, the Croat centre-back jumps the tallest, well above his mark Ruben Dias, and beats Ederson at the goal.
Haaland has a shot. He gets the ball on the run, he is well past Gvardiol and takes a shot. It flashes across the face of goal. Haaland took it too wide on that occasion, leaving the angle to difficult to shoot from.
Werner’s slided through pass to Silva inside the penalty area intercepted by Dias.
Leipzig makes another change. IN - Nkunku | OUT - Forsberg
Saved! Ederson denies Andre Silva. The Portuguese first beats two City players on the edge of the box and then, with just the keeper to beat, tries a chip. Ederson stretches his arms out, allowing him to save the shot with his left arm.
Much better from Leipzig in the second iteration. They’ve penetrated the City penalty area more often and made the defence work hard.
Another miss! It is Henrichs again! He had ample space as he came charging down from the right side. Clear sight of the goal and jut Ederson to beat. Henrichs fires it wide.
A chance for the home team. Laimer nicks the ball from Grealish. Holstenberg crosses and Henrichs heads it. Goes over the crossbar.
Mahrez! Almost finds the goal. Ake picks the ball from a Leipzig shirt and it lands with Gundogan in the penalty area. He plays it for the Algerian who hits it on the run. The ball thuds into a Leipzig body and that brings the attack to an end.
Leipzig starts the second half from the centre circle.
That’s the end of the first period. City has easily been the better side but just a goal’s deficit is not the end of the world for Marco Rose and his team. The home team certainly in with a chance of this match.
Ederson saves! Werner finally tests the City goalkeeper. Schlager pounces onto a loose ball and charges on. Akanji makes the initial block but is unable to stop the attack. Werner is two against one from the left side but decides to take the shot. Ederson is forced to dive to his left to save.
Gundogan is fed a through ball on the left wing. He darts into the penalty area and sees Haaland coming in support. The pass across to his teammate is deflected of a Leipzig defender and Blaswich collects the ball.
Grealish goes one-on-one against Klostermann and wins his side a corner. Rodri gets the header on the set piece but it goes way over the goal.
Another chance! This time Jack Grealish gets the ball on the left side of the Leipzig penalty area. He skips past a couple of players and shoots. The ball flies over the crossbar.
Haaland misses! Leipzig was lucky there. City gets a corner and Mahrez curls it in. Rodri meets it at the far post and plays it across the phase of goal. Haaland is completely unmarked on the other end. Halstenberg has no idea there is a player behind him. The Norway forward, however, falls short of the pass and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.
MAHREZ SCORES! Manchester City leads 1-0! Schlager with a blunder. He plays a square pass to Laimer but lacks aim and direction. Grealish collects the ball and passes it to Gundogan. The German midfielder lets the ball run through his feet and it lands up on Mahrez’s feet. He takes a quick shot and slots the ball into the right corner. Blaswich cannot even move.
Walker and Gundogan again combine to find space on the right wing. The cross this time is sent into the six-yard box but finds a Leipzig player. The ball is cleared and Leipzig remains unharmed.
The possession stat already 79-21 in favour of the away team. Ominous signs for Leipzig.
Grealish fouled. The winger cuts in and is dashing through the middle before Schlager brings him down. A dangerous set piece opportunity. The shot from Mahrez, however, goes straight into the wall.
Andre Silva offside! All of a sudden, Leipzig gets the ball in the final third and Silva gets a cross to feed on. But he’s a little too early in his movement and is flagged by the assitant.
Saved! Ruben Dias connects to the set piece. He gets a proper header but it goes straight into the hands of Blaswich.
Corner for City! Walker goes around Halstenberg and crosses the ball. A deflection takes it beyond the touchline.
Nice and comfortable. What City is accustomed to. It is enjoying long spells of possession. Leipzig will know that only a matter of time before the English champion utilises it to find the net.
Walker and Gundogan combine on the right and they are though into the opposition penalty box. The latter crosses but Gvadriol stands tall to block the attempt.
Grealish is given a pass. Gundogan it was. And the 100-million signing has acres of space in front of him as he enters the Leipzig box. He squares it to Mahrez, but the Algerian is too crowded and loses the ball.
Leipzig goes direct. Blaswich to Silve, Silva to Szoboszlai and the home team is in the opposition penalty area. The Leipzig player cannot find the ultimate pass but slick movement nonetheless.
First run for Haaland. Gundogan plays the through ball and Haaland is off in behind. The weight proved too much on the ball and Blaswich collects it comfortably.
That’s kick off at the Red Bull Arena. City gets the ball rolling from the centre circle.
The players make their way to the centre of the field. The Champions League anthem follows next.
Over the group stage, Manchester City conceded 6.2 shots per game, on an average. That is the highest in the competition. Something to work on for Leipzig.
Leipzig’s main outlet in offence, Christopher Nkunku, is on the bench today. He’s scored 17 goals this season with three of them coming in the Champions League. Who will take charge for the German side now?
Marco Rose’s men are currently fifth in the Bundesliga, winning 11 of the 21 matches so far.
RB Leipzig 2-1 Manchester City: The last encounter between the two sides was in the 2021/22 group stage. Szoboszlai opened the scoring for the German side in the first half. Andre Silva then doubled the advantage for the Leipzig. Riyadh Mahrez found a goal but it proved too little too late for the City.
Played: 2 | RB Leipzig: 1 | Manchester City: 1 | Draw: 0
Leipzig: Blaswich, Orban, Forsberg, Werner, Klostermann, Szoboszlai, Silva, Holstenberg, Schlager, Laimer, Gvadriol
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland
RB Leipzig: Blaswich - Klostermann, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum - Schlager, Laimer - Szoboszlai, Nkunku, Werner - Silva
Manchester City: Ederson - Walker, Akanji, Ake - Rodri, Bernardo - Mahrez, Gundogan, Foden, Grealish - Haaland
PREVIEW
Manchester City resumes its bid for a first Champions League title with a Round of 16 matchup with RB Leipzig, which hosts the first leg on Wednesday.
Leipzig, which is fifth in the German league and has lost only once in its last 20 games in all competitions, has pedigree in the Champions League after reaching the semifinals in 2020. Last year, the team lost at City 6-3 in the group stage and won the return match 2-1 when City was already sure of advancing.
For City, the absence of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne might play a major role in the team combination as it tries to avenge its 1-2 loss to the German last year.
The much touted Christopher Nkunku is likely to return to the frontline of Leipzig’s starting lineup after coming off the bench in the weekend in Bundesliga.
READ | Champions League: Osimhen scores, Napoli beats Frankfurt 2-0
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH
When and where to watch RB Leipzig vs Manchester City Champions League clash?
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City will be played at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany on February 23 (IST). The kick-off is scheduled for 1:30 AM IST.
How to watch RB Leipzig vs Manchester City in the Champions League?
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City Champions League match will be live telecast on the Sony Sports Network.
How to live stream RB Leipzig vs Manchester City Champions League match?
The RB Leipzig vs Manchester City round of 16 match can be live streamed on Sony LIV.
Comments
SHARE