AS IT HAPPENED

Champions League: Leipzig and Man City share spoils in first leg

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 20:16 - 22 February 2023

Manchester City got their Champions League knockout campaign underway with a 1-1 draw away to RB Leipzig in the round of 16. A result that now puts even more importance on the second leg at the Etihad.

That's it from me. See you in three weeks for the second leg at the Etihad. Goodnight!

Pep Guardiola, in a feisty mood, speaks to BT:
“They made a step forward, pressed higher, and after the goal we conceded, we came back and had a good last 20 minutes. We had good chances in both halves, and got a result so we decide in Manchester. I am happy for all the game.”

No English club won their first leg in the Champions League Round of 16 😱

❌ Dortmund 1-0 Chelsea
❌ AC Milan 1-0 Tottenham
❌ Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid
🤝 RB Leipzig 1-1 Man City pic.twitter.com/k7jSCtzr19
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 22, 2023

Just saw a replay of the handball shout at the end of the game. City will feel very disappointed not to have been awarded a penalty as that is as blatant a handball by Henrichs as you will ever see.

Pep looks enraged as he gathers a few of the City players on the pitch for a word at the full-time whistle. That was definitely a chance missed and now they will need to be perfect at the Etihad in three weeks' time.

FULL TIME: RB Leipzig 1-1 Man City

90': Henrichs goes through the back of Gundogan and receives a yellow card for his troubles.

89': Gvardiol tries to send Werner into space down the left but sends the ball carelessly out of play for a throw.

84': City have subdued Leipzig now and they are trying to find that second goal as the clock winds down

Erling Haaland has been pretty anonymous today.

Haaland the best blonde goal scorer in England???? pic.twitter.com/LiNYdcfSoO
— Leah (*💜Protecting inner peace era 💜*) (@AWFC_VIV) February 22, 2023

Interesting observation on Premier League teams in the Champions League this year

"English Premier League" teams 0/4 wins in the Ro16 pic.twitter.com/HSbOQUBmbN
— 🦅 (@Gideoomatic) February 22, 2023

Leipzig turning up the heat 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/ffoDis5SjG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 22, 2023

That is no less than what Leipzig deserve for the way they have started this second half.

YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! ⚽⚽⚽#RBLMCI 1-1 (69') pic.twitter.com/cT9migllXD
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 22, 2023

Leipzig win a corner and the ball is delivered dangerously into the box. loops over Ederson, Dias and Ake, and Gvardiol is able to head home from a couple of yards!

70': GOAL!!! Leipzig 1-1 Manchester City (Josko Gvardiol)

It has been all Leipzig for the last 15 minutes. An equaliser might be on the way.

55': Leipzig have started to make some noise here. Szoboszlai picks out Henrichs in acres of space down to his right. Henrichs receives the pass and is one on one with Ederson! He sends his shot across the City keeper and just wide of the bottom-left corner. So close!!!

So close from Benny 🤏😩#RBLMCI 0-1 (55') pic.twitter.com/jhXoaeFV70
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 22, 2023

50': Gundogan scurries down the left, pulls back for Mahrez, whose shot is blocked and Leipzig clear their lines.

Leipzig get the second half underway!!!

A perfect half from City. They've controlled the game like they did against Forest — and RBL aren't Forest, in gameplan or quality. Controlling a game like that with Haaland playing and not having many touches is impressive too. And RBL's first shot on target didn't go in
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) February 22, 2023

City were excellent throughout that first half and should probably have scored another goal. The hosts have not come to the party at all. Red Bull is supposed to give you wings right?

Half time: RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City

44': Leipzig finally force Ederson into a save. Werner dribbles in from the left and curls a tame effort towards the bottom right. Ederson didn't even have to stretch.

Timo with our first shot on goal, but it's not troubling Ederson ❌#RBLMCI 0-1 (45+1') pic.twitter.com/Gbz7fnLhG8
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 22, 2023

Leipzig have shown nothing whatsoever in this first half.

😂😂😂 Man City’s press has Leipzig in HELL.

This is a brutal watch.
— . (@Nigerianscamsss) February 22, 2023

36': Bernardo Silva shows some poise and determination down the right before sending a nice pass to Grealish who blazes over the bar

Something about black gloves. Anthony Martial was robbed of a Ballon d'Or the season he had them on.

Black gloved Riyad Mahrez under the Champions League lights. Different gravy. pic.twitter.com/q4m0sv8thD
— Mehul Gupta (@mehulg10) February 22, 2023

This has been coming. Grealish intercepts a poor pass as Leipzig try to be too cute with the ball. He sets up Mahrez who makes no mistake with a low drive.

RIYADDDDDDD! 🤩

⚪️ 0-1 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/pBgFWe9Ums
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2023

27': GOAL!!! Leipzig 0-1 Man City (Riyad Mahrez)

Are we really?

We’re all Leipzig today aren’t we ? pic.twitter.com/FhIkhuOWE8
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) February 22, 2023

Rodri setting the tempo for City as usual.

20. The midfield maestro! 🪄

⚪️ 0-0 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/8GIYJ4Yspo
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2023

16': Leipzig finally attempt to put something together. Klostermann curls in a wicked ball from the right but it is just a bit too high for Andre Silva to connect.

12': This is all City. Leipzig can't get a sniff of the ball at the moment.

Ah. I wonder what club he supports.

I’ve switched the City game off, no way am I watching Man City pass side to side for 90mins
— ♠️ (@SJftbI) February 22, 2023

That's Andre Silva, btw.

4': Some attacking intent from Leipzig. Silva chases after a long pass and gets to it. He tries but fails to get past Nathan Ake, who forces him to check his run. Solid defending,

Kick-off!!! Man City get the ball rolling. Kyle Walker gallops down the right and nearly finds Haaland but the pass is intercepted. Positive start from Guardiola's men

Kick-off in a few minutes

Leipzig boss Marco Rose believes his side can get a result if they play with courage.

🎙️ Marco Rose: "It will be a difficult games but anything is possible. If we go out there as a team and with our fans behind us, we can achieve great things. We're stronger together."#RBLMCI pic.twitter.com/fVgk4NiRe4
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 21, 2023

Ahead of kickoff, City boss Pep Guardiola warns his side to be wary of the threat Leipzig pose.

"If you are not well-prepared for the transitions, they are unstoppable" 😳

Pep Guardiola looks ahead to tonight's clash in Leipzig 🗣 pic.twitter.com/HRmqbZEQqy
— LiveScore (@livescore) February 22, 2023

A strong bench for RB Leipzig with Nkunku and Poulsen all very good players to have in reserve.

Bench:

Nyland
Nickisch
Simakan
Raum
Henrichs
Haidara
Kampl
Nkunku
Poulsen#RBLMCI pic.twitter.com/rs6CtQ3ncr
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 22, 2023

Erling Haaland returns to Germany where he scored 86 goals in 89 appearances.

Touchdown in Leipzig! 📍#ManCity pic.twitter.com/Jw4IN6LOs9
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2023

We have a comprehensive preview of this mouthwatering clash here to give you a taste of what to expect

There are three changes to Manchester City's starting XI from the one that drew 1-1 against Nottingham Forest. Aymeric Laporte and Kevin de Bruyne are ill and at home, so Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and Riyad Mahrez replace them.

TEAM NEWS 🚨

XI | Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Gundogan (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland

SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Alvarez, Gomez, Perrone, Foden, Charles, Palmer, Lewis, Robertson#ManCity pic.twitter.com/8dPv7mxJ4G
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2023

The lineups are in. Leipzig star forward Christopher Nkunku is only back from injury so he starts on the bench and Timo Werner leads the line.

Our XI to face @ManCity! 📋

#RBLMCI pic.twitter.com/EAbqdf7YKJ
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) February 22, 2023

Can Manchester City deliver a statement performance like they did against Arsenal or will Leipzig make it a difficult evening for the visitors? we will find out soon enough.