Manchester City took control of Group G as late goals from substitutes Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku earned a 3-1 win at RB Leipzig.
Pep Guardiola’s side bounced back from losses to Newcastle and Wolves to take a step closer to the knockout rounds with a win in Germany.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for City who had dominated the opening exchanges, with the midfielder side-footing in from Rico Lewis’ cut-back to hand the visitors the lead.
Leipzig struggled to get into the game but levelled on the break, as Lois Opena finished off a lightning counter-attack from the Bundesliga side.
City wasted a number of chances to retake the lead, before Alvarez – on as a substitute just five minutes earlier – bent a beautiful finish into the far corner on 84 minutes. Jeremy Doku had assisted Alvarez’s goal and the forward returned the favour moments later, sending Doku away to seal the win.
“Really good. We played a fantastic game in all departments. Everyone was perfect,” Guardiola reflected to TNT Sports.
“The substitutes all came off the bench with smiles on their faces, not complaining because they did not start.”
Guardiola was full of praise for the performance of teenager Lewis, who was excellent in a central midfield role and set up Foden’s opening goal.
“Wooow! He is an amazing, outstanding player. I have been a manager for many years. To find a player who moves really well, difficult to find someone like him. He is 18 years old. He is a fantastic player.”
The Spaniard was delighted to see his team respond to back-to-back defeats and said he never doubted his City squad.
“I will not judge my team on results. Both games were not the best results but it is not easy when both teams defend with 10 in the box. It happens. There are many games.
“Despite that if you think I will doubt my players, you are wrong. I rely on these guys unconditionally. They prove it. We go to Arsenal game, rest and hopefully in May we will arrive in the competitions being there.”
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