Manchester Metropolis surrendered one other lead as they needed to accept a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig of their Champions League Spherical of 16 first leg.
Riyad Mahrez’s first-half aim had seemingly put Pep Guardiola’s facet heading in the right direction for the quarter-finals as they dominated early proceedings in Germany, however Leipzig bounced again and located a deserved equalizer with a header by Josko Gvardiol.
Neither facet might discover a winner on the evening and the tie stays in play forward of the second leg subsequent month. The priority for Metropolis is that towards Nottingham Forest on Saturday they had been unable to capitalize regardless of being properly positioned to complete the sport.
How the sport went in Leipzig
Leipzig’s status as a urgent facet largely anticipated the Bundesliga facet to provide a high-energy efficiency in entrance of a cheering residence crowd, however Metropolis dominated from the beginning. The 74% possession within the first half advised the story.
The primary aim of the sport got here when Jack Grealish regained possession and his ahead move was chipped away by Ilkay Gundogan, permitting Mahrez to fireside the ball low into the nook of the online. It was a deserved lead and gave Metropolis full management of the sport.
Marco Rose’s facet had been a lot brighter within the second half, with Benjamin Henrichs twice closing shortly after his half-time introduction, and when Christopher Nkunku arrived, Leipzig actually began to imagine. The passivity of the primary 45 minutes was forgotten.
Andre Silva and Dominik Szoboszlai pressured Ederson into good saves however the goalkeeper was unresponsive when Gvardiol leaped over Ruben Dias and nodded into the online. It was a deserved equalizer given how Leipzig responded as soon as behind.
Metropolis regained management within the closing phases and will properly have been awarded a penalty in stoppage time for a handball from Henrichs. However they nonetheless have their work minimize out for them within the second leg if they’re to progress and justify their standing as Champions League favourites.
Haaland left pissed off
Not discovering Erling Haaland as typically because the striker would love has been a characteristic of Manchester Metropolis’s season regardless of the Norwegian’s prolific goalscoring file. With Kevin De Bruyne out by sickness, the wrestle to get the ball to Haaland was even clearer.
He placed on an exasperated determine for a lot of the competition, frequently making runs that invited the move solely to seek out the ball hadn’t arrived. Each Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva have the standard to play him however not the will as they like to carry onto the ball as a substitute.
Haaland managed 22 touches on the ball. All the opposite outfield teammates had not less than 60. Even Ederson had 37. The striker is the place of glory however on this Manchester Metropolis staff, that additionally requires numerous persistence. The talk over his position within the staff will proceed.
And after?
RB Leipzig return to the Bundesliga on Saturday towards the primary 4 rivals Frankfurt; kick off 2:30 p.m. Marco Rose’s facet will then face one other big recreation on Friday March 3 with a visit to Borussia Dortmund; kick off 7:30 p.m.
that of Manchester Metropolis consideration now turns to the Premier League as they journey to Bournemouth Saturday, dwell sky sports activities; kick off 5:30 p.m. On the facet of Pep Guardiola, see you subsequent Metropolis of Bristol within the FA Cup on Tuesday; kick off 8 p.m.
Saturday February 25 5:00 p.m.
Kick off 5:30 p.m.
#Leipzig #Manchester #Metropolis