Last season's runner up meant business and they were determined to start this campaign with no margin for error as they hit Leipzig for 6 goals albeit, Leipzig proved not to be an easy opponent as they gave Manchester City a run for their money.
The star of the night for RB Leipzig was Nkunku who registered a hat-trick on the night but City didn't rest either as they banished any hope of a comeback with swift response and attacks. Nathan Ake, Mahrez, £100 Million Grealish, Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus did the damage to the visitors as they also got help from Mukiele who diverted the ball into his net for an own goal. RB Leipzig also suffered a red card in the 79th minute but it mattered less because City were already in control of the game.
This is City's 11th participation in the Champions League competition and the dream remains to lift this prestigious trophy. They have come close a few times but they have been denied every time.
City got off to a good start in the 16th minute when Grealish delivered a lovely corner into the box. Nathan Ake was there to power home the header to give City the lead. In the 28th minute, City went 2 goals up after De Bruyne skipped past challenges and tried to pick out Grealish on the far end of the box. Mukiele headed the ball into his net instead. He had the chance to head it for a corner but he felt heading it to his goalkeeper would be better and alas, he scored an own goal.
RB Leipzig halved the deficit in the 42nd minute with a lovely interchange of passes and the final ball was delivered to Nkunku who guided the ball into the net with his header. City stretched their lead again in the 47th minute after Klostermann handled the ball in the area. The referee initially waved it but with the help of the VAR he correctly pointed to the spot and Mahrez stepped up to extend City's lead by 2 goals again.
In the 50th minute, RB Leipzig were at it again and who else but Nkunku after receiving a lovely ball into the area from Olmo, he powered home another header to half the deficit; 3-2 the scoreline. City kept extending the lead and again they did with their £100 million player; Grealish. A long ball found him and his individual brilliance got the goal as he cut in, drove into the box and unleashed his signature goal as he bent the ball to find the top right corner of the post to make it 4-2. That was his 2nd goal for City since his move. He is always showing promise and giving City the threat going forward.
In the 73rd minute, Nkunku got his hat-trick after he was found just at the edge of the box by Poulson. He held his ground, drove in and smashed home the shot to reduce the deficit, yet again, 4-3. What a game it was as RB Leipzig showed City they won't take it lying down. He kept giving hope to his side.
City knew they had to bury any hope of a comeback and they did. They increased the deficit from being a goal to three goals. In the 74th minute, after a quickly taken freekick, Gundogan passed the ball to Cancelo and with much time and space, he smashed home a thunderous strike leaving the goalkeeper helpless and clueless with no chance of saving it to restore the 2 goal lead. It was a timely reply for City.
It got worse for RB Leipzig as Angelino's unnecessary challenge made the referee give him a second yellow and he was sent off against his former team leaving his team; RB Leipzig to be down to 10 men. City completed the 6 goals in the 85th minute when Mahrez's shot was blocked by Ake unintentionally and Gabriel Jesus was on hand to scramble the ball home.
No doubt, it was an entertaining game and City fully deserved the victory despite the valiant effort of RB Leipzig.
Thank you for your time.
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