Erling Haaland struck again at RB Leipzig to give Manchester City a thrilling 3-2 win in the Champions League.
Haaland scored 12 minutes from time, tapping in from Elliot Anderson’s low cross, for his 13th goal in nine appearances against the Bundesliga side, the most against any opponent in his career, as City returned to winning ways after their defeat at Brighton on Saturday.
City made difficult work of an equalizer in which they twice led, having been gifted a first-half opening when Castello Lukeba comically turned the ball into his own net as Leipzig went on top with Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa going close.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a fine save to deny Baumgartner early in the second half, but seconds later the Man City keeper was caught at his near post by Ridle Baku’s smart shot, the right-back slotting home from a tight angle when everyone expected him to cross low into the centre.
The tie exploded from there with Haaland, a first-half passer with just three touches, denied on his first chance, before Enzo Fernandez gave City the lead again, arriving in the box to head home Iliman Ndiaye’s perfect cross.
But within three minutes, Leipzig were level once more as Nusa scored a deserved goal, firing low past Donnarumma into the bottom right corner from inside the box.
City went on their best spell of the game after that, helped by the introduction of Jeremy Doku, as Anderson set up Haaland, who couldn’t miss from close range.
Leipzig’s David Raum and City’s Rayan Cherki still rattled the woodwork at either end in a frantic finale as the visitors continued to climb to seventh in the league stage table.
‘Donnarumma again unconvincing’
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
“Manchester City may have escaped Leipzig by three points, but Gianluigi Donnarumma is doing little to convince that he is the last safe line of defence.
“Another night, another collection of uncomfortable moments for the Italian. He was directly responsible for Leipzig’s first goal, getting into a mess when the situation called for calm from a cross from the right. It was a strange goal to concede.
“And it was hardly an isolated wobble. His handling looked uncertain at times, while his decision-making invited pressure rather than relieving it. David Raum almost punished another moment of indecision when his free-kick rattled the crossbar, with Donnarumma looking anything but convincing.”
Haaland: We have to grow
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland:
“I think it’s the biggest goal I’ve scored against a club. I’ve played against them many times in the Champions League with City and Borussia Dortmund as well. Leipzig are a good team so I’m happy.”
About Elliot Anderson: “He’s had a great start to his career at City and that’s what you expect. You have to go straight in and perform. It’s not easy to come in, you have to adapt and new players and a new manager, so he’s been impressive. Respect.”
On Man City’s performance: “I’m not sure how many touches I had today, no more, but the most important thing is that I managed to help the team to win. I think we need to step up a bit. When we were 1-0, I think we should have gone for that, gone for the second goal and then the third – that’s what we have to do. We have to work on it.”
Maresca: We have to be careful with transitions
Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca:
“Difficult game at times. We controlled quite well but struggled at times. Champions League, Germany away, it’s tough, so happy with the three points.
“They are well organized, they were aggressive and dangerous on the wings. We had to be careful in transition. Happy with the three points and now we recover and continue.”
What does the result mean and the next matches…
