German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League, following a 1-1 draw with Premier League giants Manchester City in their Round-Of-16 first-leg clash at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Wednesday night.
The opening period saw plenty of exchanges between both sides but it was Algerian international Riyad Mahrez who struck for the Cityzens to give them the lead. It was also Mahrez’s 20th goal in the competition, which saw him become the fifth African player to score 20 UCL goals.
After the resumption of the second half, the hosts were adventurous as they sought an equalizer which duly came in the 70th minute as Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol rose highest to head home. The clash also saw Christopher Nkunku make a return to action, following a spell on the sidelines through injury.
The tie is finely balanced ahead of the return leg set to take place at the Etihad in three weeks time, with the winner going on to the last-eight.
🔴 Live Blog:
FULL-TIME AT THE RED BULL ARENA: RB Leipzig 1-1 Manchester City
70′ MIN: Marcel Halstenberg hands Josko Gvardiol the simplest of tasks from close range after the cross evaded the keeper, and he makes no mistake with his header into the middle of the goal.
GOOOAAALLL!!! RB Leipzig 1-1 Manchester City (J. Gvardiol)
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE RED BULL ARENA: RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City
HALF-TIME AT THE RED BULL ARENA: RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City
27′ MIN: Riyad Mahrez is teed up on the edge of the box by Ilkay Gundogan, and his howitzer of a shot into the bottom right corner gives the keeper no chance.
GOOOAAALLL!!! RB Leipzig 0-1 Manchester City (R. Mahrez)
KICK-OFF: RB Leipzig 0-0 Manchester City
As for the Cityzens, Kevin de Bruyne is out due to illness. Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez mje up the frontline while Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan are in the XI.
The hosts welcome Frenchman Christopher Nkunku back to the squad following injury, though he has to contend for a place on the bench. Record scorer Timo Werner will lead the attack, while Andre Silva and Emil Forsberg start as well.
Apex Football News 