Erling Haaland scored the winner for Manchester City, tapping in 12 minutes from time to secure a thrilling 3-2 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig. The Norwegian called on his side to “step up” after the win, which returned City to winning ways following their defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
Haaland netted from Elliot Anderson’s low cross for his 13th goal in nine appearances against the Bundesliga side, his most against any opponent in his career. City made hard work of the tie, leading twice after being gifted a first-half opener when Castello Lukeba comically turned the ball into his own net in the 37th minute. Leipzig had been on top before that, with Christoph Baumgartner and Antonio Nusa going close.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a strong save to deny Baumgartner at the start of the second half, but seconds later the City goalkeeper was caught out at his near post. Ridle Baku struck in the 49th minute, tucking the ball in from a tight angle when everyone expected him to cross low into the middle.
The tie burst into life from there. Haaland, a bystander in the first half with just three touches, was denied with his first chance. Enzo Fernandez then restored City’s lead in the 58th minute, arriving in the box to power a header home from Iliman Ndiaye’s perfect cross.
Leipzig were level within three minutes. Antonio Nusa grabbed a deserved goal in the 61st minute, firing low across Donnarumma into the bottom right corner from inside the box.
City were spurred into their best spell of the game after that, helped by the introduction of Jeremy Doku. Anderson set up Haaland, who could not miss from close range. David Raum and Rayan Cherki both rattled the woodwork at opposite ends during a frantic finale, but the visitors held on to move up to seventh in the league phase table.
Donnarumma unconvincing again
“Manchester City may have escaped Leipzig with three points but Gianluigi Donnarumma is doing little to convince that he is the reliable last line of defence.”
“Another night, another collection of uncomfortable moments for the Italian. He was directly culpable for Leipzig’s opening goal, getting himself into a muddle when the situation demanded composure from a cross from the right. It was a strange goal to concede.”
“And it was hardly an isolated wobble. His handling looked uncertain on several occasions, while his decision-making invited pressure rather than easing it. David Raum nearly punished another moment of indecision when his free-kick rattled the crossbar, with Donnarumma looking anything but convincing.”
Haaland: We have to step up
On his goal against Leipzig, Haaland said: “I think it is the most I have scored against a club. 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.”
On Elliot Anderson, he said: “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 and new players and a new coach, so he has been impressive. Respect.”
On the City performance, he added: “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
“Tough game in some moments. We controlled quite well but some moments we struggled. Champions League, Germany away, it’s tough so happy with the three points.”
“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.”