Manchester City entertained Red Bull Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium earlier tonight as they looked to pick up maximum points from this UEFA Champions League clash at home. Man City made a bright start to the game and took the lead in the 16th minute courtesy of Nathan Ake’s powerful header. Nordi Mukiele scored an unfortunate own goal just 12 minutes later which doubled the home side’s advantage. Christopher Nkunku got a goal back for Leipzig in the 42nd minute before Riyad Mahrez went on to get his name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot just before the stroke of half-time.
Nkunku struck again just six minutes into the second half to give his team some belief of snatching something from this game. However, Jack Grealish restored Man City’s two-goal lead with a lovely strike in the 56th minute. Nkuku completed his hattrick in the 73rd minute but the Mancunian giants went on to score two more goals via Joao Cancelo’s swerved effort and Gabriel Jesus’ powerful finish as the contest ended 6-3 in favour of Pep Guardiola’s men.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player performed during the match against RB Leipzig.
GK: Ederson – 5.5/10
The Brazilian goalie passed the ball well but won’t be content after allowing three goals during the game.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 8/10
Cancelo had to do a lot of defending and did well to stand his ground. He also scored a great goal in the second half which killed the game off.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7/10
Dias got stuck in with a few tackles when needed and managed to end the game with an assist to his name.
CB: Nathan Ake – 8/10
The Dutch defender won the ball back multiple times on the defensive end of the field and even made a handful of crucial clearances at the back. He opened the goal-scoring for Man City with a good header in the first half.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6/10
Zinchenko did his fair share of defending but struggled to influence the game in the opposition half.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7/10
The Belgian midfielder showed a lot of hunger to get on the ball and managed to create some decent chances for his teammates to score.
CM: Rodri – 7/10
Rodri anchored the midfield quite well and made a few important interceptions for his side.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 6/10
Silva worked hard but struggled to get a foothold in the game. He was substituted close to the hour mark.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 8/10
The Algerian international was always willing to have a strike at goal and kept his composure well to convert his penalty just before the half-time interval.
ST: Ferran Torres – 7/10
The Spaniard created a couple of decent goal-scoring opportunities but was guilty of squandering a few himself.
LW: Jack Grealish – 9/10
The former Aston Villa star got his name on the scoresheet with a brilliant strike. He has also got an assist to show for his efforts and deserves the man of the match award.
Substitutes:
CM: Fernandinho – 6/10
He was a bit sloppy with the ball but managed to create a key chance after coming on as a substitute.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5/10
The German sensation came off the bench and bagged an assist.
LW: Phil Foden – 6/10
He hardly gave away the ball.
ST: Raheem Sterling – 6/10
He struggled to get into the game.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – 7/10
The Brazilian striker smashed the ball in the 85th minute to put the icing on the cake for Man City.
