RB Leipzig 2-3 Manchester City: Haaland makes it lucky 13 to settle chaotic clash

RB Leipzig went into their clash with Manchester City with reason to be particularly fearful of Erling Haaland, and their concerns ultimately proved vindicated as the Norwegian talisman continued his fine record against the Bundesliga side to settle an absorbing Champions League tie.

Haaland had found the net 12 times across his previous meetings with Leipzig and, despite being a largely peripheral figure on Wednesday, it was his far-post finish from Elliot Anderson’s superb cross that gave City a 3-2 away win, making them the first team to beat Leipzig at home this season.

City’s performance was not without its concerning elements, with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goalkeeping for Ridle Baku’s equaliser after Castello Lukeba’s opening own goal likely to put the Italian under the spotlight once again.

But going forward, City were typically imperious in an enthralling clash, with Enzo Fernandez’s brilliant header restoring their lead before Antonio Nusa fired beyond Donnrumma to level matters once more.

Unsurprisingly, Haaland was City’s saviour, putting them in a strong position as they seek a top-eight finish in the league phase. Yet more control will be required going forward if City are to seriously threaten a challenge for a second European crown.

Leipzig had the better of the openings stages, with Haaland’s national team-mate Nusa menacing and producing a shot that Donnarumma failed to handle, nervously palming over his own bar, before Christoph Baumgartner drew a more convincing and more impressive stop from the City keeper.

Phil Foden then curled narrowly wide at the other end, but City’s breakthrough came from a moment of ill-judged defending from Lukeba, who was unfortunate to see his attempt to deal with Nico O’Reilly’s pull back end up in his own net.

That marked the first goal Leipzig have conceded at home this season, but the hosts’ response after the break was impressive, with Nusa and Baumgartner drawing two more fine saves from Donnarumma.

Yet Donnarumma, who recently came under scrutiny for his errors in defeat at Aston Villa, was clearly culpable as Leipzig did find a leveller.

Baku was sent free down the right and attempted an ambitious effort from a narrow angle, which Donnarumma somehow allowed to beat him at his near post.

Ezechiel Banzuzi fired into the side-netting as Leipzig sought to complete a turnaround, but they found themselves behind again as Fernandez met Iliman Ndiaye’s outstanding left-wing cross with an unstoppable header.

Leipzig, though, were behind for just three minutes, Nusa scoring the goal his performance deserved as he collected Christopher Nkunku’s lofted pass and beat Donnarumma with an unerring low drive.

Maarten Vandevoordt produced an excellent stop to prevent Rayan Cherki restoring City’s advantage again, but he could do nothing as Anderson surged down the right and delivered a brilliant cross to put the ball on a platter for Haaland to convert his 13th goal against Leipzig.

Still, City were rarely comfortable and the impressive David Raum hit the crossbar for Leipzig, though it was Enzo Maresca’s men who finished on the front foot with Cherki hitting the woodwork and Haaland thwarted by Vandevoordt in a frantic end to an encounter that was far more difficult than City might have hoped.

The UEFA Champions League Table

Upcoming fixtures for RB Leipzig and Manchester City

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