In the second of their two group stage matches in the Champions League, Man City defeated RB Leipzig 3-1.
In the first half, Man City dominated hands down. After some outstanding play from Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva, it was Phil Foden who gave the visitors the lead. Foden connected with Lewis’ first cross with his weaker foot.
But Man City started the second half off in an uncommonly slow manner. Lois Openda scored for Leipzig in under a minute on a counterattack. The Belgian attacker calmly finished past Ederson. Manuel Akanji was unable to reach to him.
Man City came knocking at the door, and Erling Haaland had a few options. With a fantastic curled free kick from the wing that struck the crossbar, Phil Foden also came dangerously close to scoring his second. But once more, it was Julian Alvarez who sprang up to score in great style. And with seconds remaining, Jeremy Doku scored thanks to an excellent through pass from the powerful Alvarez.
Rico Lewis excels for Man City in the position of Ilkay Gundogan
The performance of young Lewis was among City’s main takeaways from the evening. Lewis, 18, appeared to be positioned to play holding midfield with Rodri for Man City. But it soon became apparent that Akanji would join Rodri in supporting Lewis as he moved forward.
Lewis played the game well overall. He worked quite hard and shown some incredible skills. He already displayed his persistence in the fourth minute as he rushed back to recover the ball back after originally losing it.
His sudden entry into the box drew comparisons to Ilkay Gundogan from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nedum Onuoha. On City’s Matchday Live show, Wright-Phillips said
“He almost playing like how Gundogan plays when he makes those late runs into the box. He’s pick up some great positions in the holes as well.”
Onuoha added saying
“In the Man City podcast he was saying how one of the people he looked up to last season was Gundogan. Gundogan was so good a making some of those runs just off the shoulder.”
Onouha further added
“I think he (Lewis) did have that in his locker. I think he’s learned from someone pretty special. He’s someone who wants to learn and wants to get better. Sky’s the limit for the kid.”
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