Champions League

City Edge Past Leipzig Thanks to Late Goals from Alvarez and Doku

October 4, 2023

Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku emerged from the substitutes’ bench to score late goals, propelling Manchester City to a 3-1 triumph over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

In their third consecutive Champions League encounter with Leipzig, City established dominance from the outset. Phil Foden netted the opening goal after a splendid build-up play orchestrated by teenage wing-back Rico Lewis.

Although Leipzig was clearly outmatched in the first half, they made a swift comeback immediately after the break, with Lois Openda scoring to level the score following a rapid counter-attack.

All Goals & Highlights: RB Leipzig 1-3 Manchester City

While Leipzig focused their attention on Erling Haaland, City’s Norwegian striker, it was his backup who secured the crucial goal, curling in City’s second just five minutes after entering the game.

Doku sealed the victory with a goal in injury time.

After a strong first half in their 2-2 draw with German champions Bayern Munich, Leipzig seemed timid in the initial period, frequently losing possession whenever City allowed them a chance.

Foden and Lewis tormented Leipzig on the right flank, with the two combining for the opening goal 25 minutes into the game. Lewis found Bernardo Silva, who played it back to the 18-year-old, and Foden powered his shot into the grass, with the ball looping past goalkeeper Janis Blaswich and into the net.

City showcased their quality, slicing through Leipzig’s static defense. Haaland came close twice as he advanced from the left, but failed to find the back of the net.

Despite no changes from Marco Rose to his struggling side at halftime, Leipzig emerged as a different team, equalizing just three minutes into the second half. Yussuf Poulsen threaded a pass to a charging Openda, who held off City’s Manuel Akanji with one arm and squeezed his shot in off the post, prompting a frustrated reaction from Pep Guardiola.

With Leipzig content to sit back and counter-attack, and City in control of possession, Foden appeared to be the most likely to score, with his 64th-minute free-kick nearly catching Blaswich off guard, rebounding off the crossbar.

Foden was substituted with 11 minutes remaining and replaced by Alvarez, who would prove to be crucial. The Argentine World Cup winner received a pass from fellow substitute Doku and unleashed a perfectly placed shot into the top corner.

As the clock wound down, Doku secured a goal of his own, finishing off a City counter-attack to seal the victory for the visitors.

This victory marked City’s first success in three visits to Saxony, having previously recorded a draw and a loss against Leipzig.