Erling Haaland scored the winner 12 minutes from time as Manchester City beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in the Champions League, and he called on his side to “step up” after a thrilling contest.
Haaland tapped in from Elliot Anderson’s low cross in the 78th minute. It was his 13th goal in nine appearances against the Bundesliga side, his most against any opponent in his career. The win returned City to winning ways after their defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
City made hard work of the tie, leading twice. They were gifted an opener in the 37th minute when Castello Lukeba comically turned the ball into his own net, even though Leipzig had been on top, with Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa both going close.
Leipzig equalised in the 49th minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save to deny Baumgartner at the start of the second half, but seconds later the City goalkeeper was caught out at his near post by Ridle Baku. The right-back tucked the ball in from a tight angle when everyone expected a low cross into the middle.
City retook the lead in the 58th minute. Enzo Fernández arrived in the box to power a header home from Iliman Ndiaye‘s perfect cross. Haaland, who had only three touches in the first half, was denied with his first chance before his late winner.
Leipzig levelled within three minutes. Nusa fired low across Donnarumma into the bottom right corner from inside the box in the 61st minute.
City then produced their best spell of the game, helped by the introduction of Jeremy Doku. Anderson set up Haaland, who could not miss from close range. In a frantic finale, David Raum and Rayan Cherki both struck the woodwork at opposite ends, but the visitors held on. The win moves City up to seventh in the league phase table.
Donnarumma unconvincing again
Manchester City may have escaped Leipzig with three points, but Donnarumma is doing little to convince that he is the reliable last line of defence. He was directly culpable for Leipzig’s opening goal, getting into a muddle when the situation demanded composure from a cross from the right. It was a strange goal to concede.
It was hardly an isolated wobble. His handling looked uncertain on several occasions, and his decision-making invited pressure rather than easing it. Raum nearly punished another moment of indecision when his free-kick struck the crossbar.
Haaland: We have to step up
Haaland said he was happy with the result and with his record against Leipzig. “I think it is the most I have scored against a club,” he said. “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.”
He praised Anderson, saying: “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 to new players and a new coach, so he has been impressive. Respect.”
On the team’s performance, Haaland was frank. “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.”
Maresca: We need to be careful with transitions
Maresca said it had been a tough game at times. “We controlled quite well but in some moments we struggled. Champions League, Germany away, it’s tough so happy with the three points.”
He acknowledged the threat Leipzig posed. “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.”