RB Leipzig 2-3 Manchester City: Haaland makes it lucky 13 to settle chaotic clash

RB Leipzig entered into his confrontation with Manchester City with reason to be particularly fearful of Erling Haaland, and their concerns ultimately proved vindicated as the Norwegian talisman continued his fine record against the Bundesliga side to settle a absorbing Champions League tie

Haaland had found the net 12 times in his previous encounters with Leipzig and, despite being a very peripheral figure on Wednesday, it was his far-post finish from Elliot Anderson’s superb cross that gave City a 3-2 home win, becoming the first team to beat Leipzig at home this season.

City’s performance has not been without worrying elements, with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal to equalize for Ridle Baku after Castello Lukeba’s first own goal could put the Italian back in the spotlight.

But going forward, City used to be imperious in a thrilling encounter, with Enzo Fernández’s brilliant header restoring their lead before Antonio Nusa fired past Donnrumma to level matters once more.

Unsurprisingly, Haaland was City’s saviour, putting them in a strong position as they seek a top-eight place in the league stage. However, more control will be needed going forward if City are to seriously threaten to challenge for a second European crown.

Leipzig dominated the early stages, with Haaland’s national team-mate Nusa threatening and producing a shot that Donnarumma couldn’t handle, nervously palming his own crossbar, before Christoph Baumgartner pulled off a more convincing and impressive save from the City goalkeeper.

Phil Foden then dragged himself wide at the other end, but City’s breakthrough came from a moment of ill-judged defending by Lukeba, who was sorry to see his attempt to meet Nico O’Reilly’s drive end up in his own net.

It was the first goal Leipzig have conceded at home this season, but the response from the home side after the break was impressive, with Nusa and Baumgartner equalizing two more fine saves from Donnarumma.

However, Donnarumma, who recently came under scrutiny for his mistakes in the defeat at Aston Villa, was clearly at fault as Leipzig found an equaliser.

Baku was sent free down the right and attempted an ambitious effort from a tight angle, which Donnarumma somehow allowed to beat at his near post.

Ezechiel Banzuzi fired into the net as Leipzig tried to complete a turnaround, but they found themselves behind again as Fernandez met Iliman Ndiaye’s excellent left-wing cross with an unstoppable header.

Leipzig, however, were behind for just three minutes, Nusa scoring the goal his performance deserved as he collected Christopher Nkunku’s lofted pass and beat Donnarumma with an unerring low shot.

Maarten Vandevoordt made a superb save to prevent Rayan Cherki restoring City’s lead again, but he could do nothing as Anderson burst down the right and flicked in a brilliant cross to lay the ball in for Haaland to convert for his 13th goal against Leipzig.

However, City were rarely comfortable and the impressive David Raum hit the crossbar for Leipzig, although it was Enzo Maresca’s men who finished on the front foot with Cherki hitting the woodwork and Haaland thwarted by Vandevoordt in a frantic end to a much more difficult game than City would have hoped.

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