Man City 3-2 RB Leipzig: Pep Guardiola’s side claim top spot in Champions League Group G with stunning second-half comeback

Holders Manchester City beat RB Leipzig 3-2 at the Etihad after a stunning second-half comeback to secure top spot in Champions League Group G.

RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda left the Etihad in a stunned silence after scoring two goals inside 40 minutes to leave his side one goal away from usurping City at the summit of the group. A raft of missed chances only added to the feeling this would not be City’s night.

Phil Foden, who had been quiet in a central role, set up Erling Haaland after the break before scoring the equaliser with 20 minutes to go. He also had a hand in the winner as Julian Alvarez – a game-changer for City off the bench with Jeremy Doku – finished off a flowing move that involved 18 passes.

City were not themselves for the first half – committing two poor defensive errors for the goals – but recovered to avoid going three games without a win. They secure top spot with a game to spare, while Leipzig have to settle for second in Group G.

How City turned it around to win the group

Man City lost their place at the top of the Premier League over the weekend after back-to-back draws, with the treble winners’ form of late encouraging teams around them that they can be challenged.

Guardiola stressed the importance of claiming top spot in Group G as early as possible before the visit of Leipzig. He knows the marginal gain of playing the last-16 second leg at home could be crucial in City’s bid to retain their Champions League crown.

There seemed to be a hangover from the 1-1 draw with Liverpool though. Leipzig’s back five and narrow four in midfield limited City’s space and the German side took full advantage.

City were caught out by a simple ball over the top with Openda stroking a composed finish past Stefan Ortega after a calamitous error by Manuel Akanji. Ruben Dias headed over unmarked minutes later in the first of a string of missed City chances.

Guardiola berated his players at a break in play, but his instructions made no difference with Leipzig adding a second moments after Rico Lewis blazed over from inside the box. Openda delivering another blow to leave the Eithad in a state of shock.

Dias was guilty of jumping in on his man, who spun him around halfway before sitting down Josko Gvardiol and finishing at the near post, making Leipzig the first side this season to score more than one goal against City.

City, at this stage, were just one goal away from seeing Leipzig take control of Group G heading into the final game. When Haaland blazed over before the break, the panic grew at the Etihad.

Guardiola acted quickly at half-time, replacing the booked Dias with Nathan Ake. It was his second intervention before the hour that truly turned the game though. Doku and Alvarez, the undoing of Leipzig in the reverse fixture, delivered again.

Haaland pulled the first goal back, a minute after the change, with Alvarez involved in the build-up. Leipzig’s resolve crumbled and Foden’s brilliance unlocked the defence as he finished through the legs of Lukas Klostermann.

The third became an inevitability as City found their feet. From an uncharacteristic low in the first, City played some of their best football this season in the second half. Eighteen passes preceded Alvarez’s winner as City clinched top spot with a game to spare.

What’s next?

Manchester City host Tottenham in the Premier League on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 4.30pm. RB Leipzig host Heidenheim in the Bundesliga at 2.30pm on Saturday.

City complete their Champions League group stage campaign away to Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday December 13; kick-off 5.45pm. RB Leipzig are at home to Young Boys at the same time on the same evening.