Erling Haaland maintained his outstanding scoring record versus RB Leipzig as Manchester City secured a battling 3-2 win in Germany to get back to winning form in the Champions League.
Enzo Maresca’s team faced a challenging evening against an opponent that repeatedly looked capable of seizing control of the match. Nevertheless, even after twice losing their lead, City produced a crucial answer through their captain, who decided an entertaining clash with a late goal.
RB Leipzig cause Man City problems early on
Manchester City initially found it difficult to break down Leipzig’s resilient defensive organisation, with the home side appearing more threatening in the early phases. Antonio Nusa went close with a strike from outside the box that nearly escaped Gianluigi Donnarumma’s grasp before landing on top of the net.
Christoph Baumgartner also posed a danger, sending a curling effort just wide of the far post as Leipzig capitalised on City’s failure to convert possession into genuine chances.
Although the visitors struggled to carve out clear opportunities, they eventually took the lead with a slice of unexpected help. Castello Lukeba lost his footing while trying to deal with Nico O’Reilly’s innocuous cross, sliding the ball into his own goal.
Donnarumma error lets Leipzig draw level
City’s lead did not last long after the break. Donnarumma, whose recent form had been under scrutiny, left his near post badly exposed, enabling Ridle Baku to force the ball past him and pull Leipzig level.
The visitors hit back in the 57th minute when Enzo Fernandez restored their advantage. The midfielder delivered a powerful header to complete the move and put City ahead once more.
Leipzig, however, were not willing to let the game escape them. Only three minutes later, Nusa produced a fine low finish, firing the ball into the net to level at 2-2 and set up an anxious closing stretch.
Haaland provides decisive Champions League winner
With the match delicately poised, Manchester City kept pressing forward in search of another goal. Their determination was rewarded in the 78th minute, when captain Haaland scored to put the visitors in front for the third time.
Elliot Anderson delivered a low cross, and the Norwegian forward made no mistake, sliding the ball home to claim all three points for his team.
The goal also further extended Haaland’s remarkable scoring record against Leipzig. He has now scored 13 goals in only nine appearances against the German side, adding another entry to his impressive personal tally.
City ultimately had the last word in an entertaining five-goal fixture, bringing an end to their difficult sequence of results with a valuable Champions League triumph.