The attacking English midfielder played a crucial role in Manchester City starting their new Champions League campaign with a win against RB Leipzig.
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Manchester City started their new Champions League season with an action-packed 6-3 victory over RB Leipzig. Jack Grealish, who played a crucial role in the win, has admitted his elation of playing in a Champions League match. The attacking English midfielder scored one goal and assisted another under the lights at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. City started brightly after Nathan Ake headed in Grealish’s curling corner, before Nordi Mukiele’s own goal made it two. The other goals for Pep Guardiola’s side were scored from Riyad Mahrez, Grealish, Joao Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus, whilst Christopher Nkunku bagged a hat-trick for the visitors.
City’s summer-signing, Grealish, could not hide his emotions while describing his experience of playing in the Europe’s elite competition. “I loved it, I’ve been waiting a while, the past few days and weeks I couldn’t wait for this game,” he was quoted as saying by the club’s website. “It’s a great night! It was one of those games, it had absolutely everything. We’re delighted to get the win against a good team, they were full of energy. I’m delighted personally mainly with the three points, but also with the goal and assist.
“Ruben [Dias] went into a tackle, then the ball came to me. When I’m running into the opposition area I back myself against anyone one on one and luckily it paid off and I hit the back of the net. I’m delighted to get the goal. Anything can happen in the Champions League, that’s why it’s such a wonderful competition. As soon as the game kicked off I thought in my head I’ve actually played in the competition now. The game and result topped it all off.”
Grealish later stated that Guardiola is always providing tips from the sideline. “The manager was just talking about defensive work,” said Grealish when asked about his talks with the Spanish coach. “That’s what he’s like, he’s always wanting more defensively and offensively, he’s someone I’m going to listen to after everything he has achieved in the game. He’s always giving out useful information.”
Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Jack Grealish, saying that he is improving all the time following his impressive debut in the Champions League opener against RB Leipzig. “Yeah, hopefully it can be the first of many!” Pep said when asked about the winger’s debut Champions League strike.
“I have the feeling that every day he is playing better, and I am pretty sure he will be better in the future. His contribution was again high, good. I am delighted with his game.”
Meanwhile, defender Nathan Ake has expressed his delight at scoring his first Champions League goal in Manchester City’s thrilling 6-3 win over RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium. Ake headed in City’s first of six goals against the German side.
“The balls in were perfect, I’m so happy to score my first one, hopefully many more to come,” he said. “Last year I was close [to scoring], this year to get it in the first game is what you want as a little boy. To play this kind of stage and to score is amazing. Every time they got back in the game, we scored quite quick again so you make their hopes less. I’m happy with that.”
