25/04 - 20:00
Josko Gvardiol’s header set up an intriguing second-leg at the Etihad Stadium after Riyad Mahrez had given Manchester City the lead.
Action: Josko Gvardiol’s header set up an intriguing second leg at the Etihad Stadium after Riyad Mahrez had given Manchester City the lead.
The Citizens were dominant throughout the entire first half at the Red Bull Arena before a frustrating second-half performance.
City smothered Leipzig, who were looking for direct balls out to relieve pressure. However, Pep Guardiola’s team did well to mop them up and keep turning the screw.
Rúben Dias had the first chance of the game when the defender got on the end of a corner, but Dias’ header was straight at a grateful Janis Blaswich.
A stray pass as Leipzig tried to play the ball out led to the opening goal. Jack Grealish latched onto to release a ball that eventually found its way to Riyad Mahrez who finished low into the right corner.
It should have been 2-0 just seconds afterwards. Another corner wasn’t defended well by Leipzig with Rodri heading the ball down across the face of goal. Had a City player managed to get on the end of it then it surely would have been a goal.
Marco Rose would have been relieved to see his team only 1-0 down at the break but he had them vastly improved in the second.
Half-time substitute Benjamin Henrichs had a great chance to level but his shot was just wide. André Silva also provided another warning for City when he weaved into the box but his chipped effort was stopped by Ederson.
With 70 minutes gone, Gvardiol rose highest from Marcel Halstenberg’s cross after a short corner to fire a header into the net. It was a deserved equaliser with City’s early-game intensity suddenly lacking.
A draw was a fair result but City probably should have had the game won right at the death. Henrichs’ clear handball in the box wasn’t given by the referee and for some reason wasn’t called up by the VAR.
City won’t have been happy not to have had the penalty, but Guardiola will be more frustrated by his team’s second-half performance.
Man of the Match: With such contrasting performances in each half it’s difficult to pick one player. We’re going to give it to Jack Grealish though, in the first 45 minutes he was giving all sorts of problems and his interception led to the game’s opening goal.
xG: RB Leipzig (1.04) 1-1 (1.09) Man City
FULL-TIME | It ends all square 🤝
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 22, 2023
⚪️ 1-1 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/KTX3GAvb3n
1-1 | ||
Josko Gvardiol 70' | Riyad Mahrez 27' |
