Joško Gvardiol stifled the specter of Manchester City star Erling Haaland earlier than scoring himself to earn Leipzig a 1-1 draw within the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup within the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Croatia heart again, nicknamed “Little Pep” due to the similarities of his final title with that of City supervisor Pep Guardiola, headed dwelling the equalizer within the seventieth minute after Leipzig lastly obtained to grips with the English champions.
City dominated the primary half with out Haaland, its high scorer, getting a sight on purpose and Riyad Mahrez netted the Twenty seventh-minute opener after Ilkay Gundogan flicked by means of a cross from Jack Grealish.
As Haaland grew annoyed within the second half, City misplaced management of the sport and Leipzig posed extra of a menace, creating the higher of the probabilities.
“What do you expect, that we are playing a friendly game here?” Guardiola stated, when requested why his workforce was unable to retain its domination into the second half. “How many video games have you ever seen from Leipzig? You anticipate us to come back right here and win 0-5? That just isn’t a actuality.”
It leaves the match within the stability heading into the second leg in Manchester on March 14 as City continues its bid for a primary Champions League title.
Guardiola carried out a mini-debrief along with his gamers on the sphere after the ultimate whistle, telling them to remain optimistic after seeing them throw away their benefit after a first-half efficiency that might have led to extra than simply Mahrez’s twentieth Champions League purpose.
Haaland had solely seven touches earlier than halftime — none of them coming in Leipzig’s penalty space — and he had just one alternative in the entire match, when he obtained free down the precise halfway by means of the second half and snatched at a shot that dribbled broad.
Leipzig’s further depth and aggression paid off because the German workforce, a Champions League semifinalist in 2020, lastly confirmed why it had misplaced simply one among its 20 earlier matches in all competitions.
“We started to play, to fight,” Leipzig coach Marco Rose stated. “Really totally different to the primary half. We have been too passive in each state of affairs. We had no energy. In the second half, we have been the identical stage (as City). Better late than by no means.”
Benjamin Henrichs, who got here on as a halftime substitute, side-footed broad when he was one on one with goalkeeper Ederson, who obtained down properly to disclaim Andre Silva.
However, Ederson was left stranded when Marcel Halstenberg swung over a left-wing cross and 21-year-old Gvardiol — probably the greatest defenders finally yr’s World Cup and amongst Europe’s most sought-after younger gamers — obtained above Ruben Dias to nod the ball into an unguarded web.
There was a weird incident within the remaining seconds when Mahrez curled a cross into the realm and a header from City midfielder Rodri gave the impression to be punched away by Henrichs as he defended his physique with each arms. City’s gamers appealed for a penalty however the referee was unmoved.
When Leipzig final visited City’s Etihad Stadium, it was routed 6-3 in a wild group-stage sport within the Champions League final season. Christopher Nkunku scored a hat trick for Leipzig on that night time and the France striker got here on instead within the second half, stepping up his sharpness after a left knee damage sustained in coaching in November simply earlier than flying out to the World Cup.
Nkunku may be match to begin the second leg when City ought to have Kevin De Bruyne out there once more. The playmaker was absent on Wednesday due to an sickness.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
