Manchester City got the better of RB Leipzig in a nine-goal thriller to ensure a positive start to the group stage campaign.
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Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake scored for the first time in the UEFA Champions League, as Manchester City defeated RB Leipzig 6-3. The Cityzens made their presence felt in a nine-goal thriller to ensure a positive start to the group stage campaign. Guardiola’s men helped the English team become the quickest club from the nation to reach the landmark of 50 wins in the competition. Leipzig made it tough for the hosts with an energetic display, as Christopher Nkunku scored a stellar hat-trick to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
Ake broke a deadlock with a fantastic header, before Nordi Mukiele scored an own-goal after heading the ball into the net. Mukiele made amends for his error by providing the assist from which Christopher Nkunku finished off a well-worked team move with a six-yard header. However, the Cityzens simply boasted of too much firepower as the goals kept coming. Leipzig certainly did not benefit from a red card for fullback Angelino, with Gabriel Jesus making it 6-3 on his 200th appearance for the club.
Guardiola admitted that it was a really tough game, with words of praise for his “incredible” players.
“Of course, I am delighted and happy and thank you to these incredible players we have. It was a really tough game. The first game at home it was important to win and we scored six goals. Seventeen goals in the last four games is nice to give to them. Now rest and prepare for Southampton. Nine goals in one game so it is nice for all the people watching,” he said as quoted by City’s official website.
“A team like RB Leipzig never gives up. They have a clear idea. They attack inside, they put a lot of players inside. Don’t have the problem of losing the ball because when they lose the ball they make quick transitions. When we have the ball they are there to press you. At the same time when you can regain the ball, pass back and switch play a little bit, you always have a chance to run and score a goal. I think the game was tight. We were fortunate that when they scored we were able to score immediately. I saw the game against Bayern Munich, they made it 1-2 and Bayern Munich suffered because of the counter-attack. It is an interesting team,” added Guardiola.
“They have played like this since Ralph Rangnick arrived. They really play. It is one of the best teams in Germany. That is why I am incredibly satisfied with the players for the first victory in the group stage. When we lose people will say why didn’t we sign a striker? We have an outstanding squad. From day one until now they give me exceptional players with a very good mentality. We are the same guys as last season, just changed Sergio for Jack. – last season we were able to score goals. We don’t have a player who can score 25 goals. The last week we had many players in the box and that helped to score goals,” he concluded.
