Erling Haaland turned the quickest participant to attain 40 Champions League objectives as Manchester Metropolis got here from 2-0 all the way down to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 on Tuesday.
The defending champions had been on the right track for his or her first European defeat on the Etihad since 2018 when Lois Openda took benefit of shambolic defending to attain twice within the first half.
Haaland decreased Metropolis’s arrears earlier than objectives from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez secured prime spot in Group G.
“The primary half was the worst I’ve seen us,” admitted Foden.
“Got here out second half, performed quite a bit higher and adjusted the sport. This group has received an important mentality for that.”
Metropolis have now received 27 of their final 29 Champions League dwelling video games since they final tasted defeat.
Leipzig have been common victims throughout that run and had been humbled 7-0 on their final journey to the Etihad in March.
However Guardiola headed down the tunnel at half-time shaking his head at what he had seen from the European champions.
Metropolis dominated possession and territory however had been undone by two moments of carelessness from the usually dependable Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias.
The in-form Openda confirmed his poise after Akanji let the Belgian latch onto a protracted ball from Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich to complete previous Stefan Ortega.
Haaland uncharacteristically snatched at an important probability to equalise because the Norwegian blasted over and Rico Lewis was additionally wayward with a transparent sight of purpose.
However as Metropolis camped within the Leipzig half, yet one more lengthy ball caught out Guardiola’s males as Dias dived in and Openda galloped clear to attain his thirteenth purpose of the season.
“We conceded an excessive amount of defensively. You need to win your duels,” stated Guardiola.
“We reacted rather well second half and yeah we’re first within the group so very glad with the response.”
Guardiola responded on the break as Nathan Ake changed Dias.
However it was not till two extra modifications with the introduction of Jeremy Doku and Alvarez that the comeback commenced.
Alvarez performed a component in Metropolis’s first purpose as he fed Foden, who performed in Haaland to web his fortieth Champions League purpose in simply 35 appearances on 54 minutes.
Foden then stroked dwelling Josep Gvardiol’s go from the sting of the field 20 minutes from time.
Leipzig thought they’d retaken the lead when Liverpool loanee Fabio Carvalho slotted into the far nook, solely to be flagged offside.
And Metropolis had the ultimate say when Doku discovered Foden on the by-line and his low cross was managed and completed by Alvarez for his fourth purpose in as many Champions League appearances this season.
“Jeremy modified the rhythm of our recreation and Julian shut the field is a particular participant,” added Guardiola.
“Phil, Julian and Erling have an unbelievable sense of (the right way to rating a) purpose.”
Leipzig had already secured their place within the final 16 however now threat dealing with the likes of Barcelona or Actual Madrid within the knockout levels.
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