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Manchester City 6-3 RB Leipzig: Last season's runners-up off to flying start

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments900

Nathan Ake heads Manchester City into the lead against B Leipzig in the Champions League
Nathan Ake scored his first Champions League goal since joining Manchester City for £40m from Bournemouth in August 2020

Jack Grealish scored a wonderful goal on his Champions League debut as Manchester City scored six past RB Leipzig to put the pain of losing last season's final behind them.

City produced a stunning attacking display to overcome last season's Bundesliga runners-up and get their Group A campaign off to a winning start.

Grealish, the British record £100m signing from Aston Villa, illuminated Etihad Stadium after cutting inside from the left before curling home to make it 4-2.

In an extraordinary game, Nathan Ake had put Pep Guardiola's side ahead with a powerful header - the 10th different player to score in a City shirt this season - before a calamitous own goal by Nordi Mukiele doubled the lead.

The France defender got his angles horribly wrong as his attempted header back to his keeper following Kevin de Bruyne's delivery ended up in the net.

City did not have things all their own way, however, and Mukiele made up for his error by playing a role in Christopher Nkunku's goal to make it 2-1 before Riyad Mahrez restored the two-goal cushion with a penalty after Lukas Klostermann handled.

Nkunku gave RB Leipzig hope with a header only for Grealish to his score his second for the club with a delightful finish.

Former Paris St-Germain player Nkunku completed his hat-trick, but Joao Cancelo added a stunning fifth and substitute Gabriel Jesus a sixth to set City up nicely for their biggest test in the group away to PSG on 28 September.

RB Leipzig finished with 10 men after former Manchester City player Angelino was sent off in the 79th minute for a second yellow card.

Free-scoring City building momentum

Guardiola had urged his players before the game to use the hurt from losing last season's final to spur them to go one step further this time.

In an astonishing match, they scored three times in each half to take their tally to 17 in the past four matches.

Nkunku's hat-trick means that Guardiola was not entirely satisfied with what he saw but there were plenty of positives as City's season continues to gather momentum.

De Bruyne did not look like a player making his first start of the season after injury, as the Belgium midfielder produced an electric performance, while Grealish looked like he belonged on the Champions League stage.

Manchester City's players celebrate scoring against RB Leipzig in the Champions League
This was Manchester City's highest scoring Champions League game, surpassing the eight goals in their 5-3 victory over Monaco in February 2017

The England midfielder continues to thrive in his new surroundings and delivered one of the game's outstanding moments with his stunning finish.

After delivering the corner for Ake to score the game's opening goal, Grealish became the first Englishman to both score and assist on their Champions League debut since Wayne Rooney in September 2004.

With Phil Foden coming on to make his first appearance for City since the Champions League final defeat, Guardiola's side are looking stronger each game.

Ever the perfectionist, he will not be happy with the goals his side conceded.

Guardiola, in charge of City for the 300th time, was at his animated best as he delivered instructions to both Grealish and Mahrez as his side closed in on victory.

There were some empty seats at the Etihad and Guardiola appealed for fans to turn out for Saturday's Premier League game with Southampton.

"We scored 16 goals in the last three games here. I'd like more people to come on Saturday. We will be tired. Southampton are so dangerous. I invite all our people to come 3pm to watch our game," he said.

Player of the match

NkunkuChristopher Nkunku

with an average of 8.05

Manchester City

  1. Squad number10Player nameGrealish
    Average rating

    7.17

  2. Squad number17Player nameDe Bruyne
    Average rating

    6.91

  3. Squad number26Player nameMahrez
    Average rating

    6.61

  4. Squad number47Player nameFoden
    Average rating

    6.51

  5. Squad number27Player nameJoão Cancelo
    Average rating

    6.49

  6. Squad number9Player nameGabriel Jesus
    Average rating

    6.48

  7. Squad number6Player nameAké
    Average rating

    6.47

  8. Squad number21Player nameTorres
    Average rating

    6.46

  9. Squad number3Player nameRúben Dias
    Average rating

    6.35

  10. Squad number20Player nameBernardo Silva
    Average rating

    6.35

  11. Squad number16Player nameRodri
    Average rating

    6.19

  12. Squad number25Player nameFernandinho
    Average rating

    6.12

  13. Squad number31Player nameEderson
    Average rating

    6.06

  14. Squad number7Player nameSterling
    Average rating

    6.06

  15. Squad number11Player nameZinchenko
    Average rating

    6.04

  16. Squad number8Player nameGündogan
    Average rating

    6.00

RB Leipzig

  1. Squad number18Player nameNkunku
    Average rating

    8.05

  2. Squad number17Player nameSzoboszlai
    Average rating

    6.74

  3. Squad number9Player namePoulsen
    Average rating

    6.63

  4. Squad number8Player nameHaidara
    Average rating

    6.53

  5. Squad number21Player nameBrobbey
    Average rating

    6.38

  6. Squad number10Player nameForsberg
    Average rating

    6.28

  7. Squad number25Player nameOlmo
    Average rating

    6.27

  8. Squad number33Player nameAndré Silva
    Average rating

    6.10

  9. Squad number32Player nameGvardiol
    Average rating

    6.07

  10. Squad number27Player nameLaimer
    Average rating

    5.95

  11. Squad number14Player nameAdams
    Average rating

    5.95

  12. Squad number4Player nameOrban
    Average rating

    5.82

  13. Squad number16Player nameKlostermann
    Average rating

    5.80

  14. Squad number3Player nameAngelino
    Average rating

    5.74

  15. Squad number22Player nameMukiele
    Average rating

    5.69

  16. Squad number1Player nameGulácsi
    Average rating

    5.68

Line-ups

Man City

Formation 4-3-3

  • 31Ederson
  • 27Cancelo
  • 3Rúben Dias
  • 6Aké
  • 11ZinchenkoBooked at 12mins
  • 17De BruyneSubstituted forFodenat 71'minutes
  • 16RodriSubstituted forFernandinhoat 59'minutes
  • 20Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forGündoganat 59'minutes
  • 26Mahrez
  • 21TorresSubstituted forSterlingat 72'minutes
  • 10GrealishSubstituted forGabriel Jesusat 81'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Walker
  • 7Sterling
  • 8Gündogan
  • 9Gabriel Jesus
  • 25Fernandinho
  • 33Carson
  • 47Foden
  • 80Palmer
  • 84Slicker
  • 90Lavia

RB Leipzig

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Gulácsi
  • 22Mukiele
  • 16KlostermannBooked at 45mins
  • 4Orban
  • 3AngelinoBooked at 79mins
  • 14AdamsBooked at 49mins
  • 27LaimerSubstituted forHaidaraat 60'minutes
  • 18NkunkuSubstituted forGvardiolat 81'minutes
  • 25OlmoSubstituted forBrobbeyat 72'minutes
  • 10ForsbergSubstituted forSzoboszlaiat 61'minutes
  • 33André SilvaSubstituted forPoulsenat 60'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Simakan
  • 8Haidara
  • 9Poulsen
  • 17Szoboszlai
  • 21Brobbey
  • 26Kourouma Kourouma
  • 31Martínez
  • 32Gvardiol
  • 39Henrichs
  • 44Kampl
Referee:
Serdar Gözübüyük
Attendance:
38,062

Match Stats

Home TeamMan CityAway TeamRB Leipzig
Possession
Home50%
Away50%
Shots
Home16
Away10
Shots on Target
Home8
Away3
Corners
Home6
Away3
Fouls
Home9
Away17

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Manchester City 6, RB Leipzig 3.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Manchester City 6, RB Leipzig 3.

  3. Post update

    Attempt saved. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Fernandinho.

  4. Post update

    Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Willi Orban.

  5. Post update

    Attempt missed. Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Dominik Szoboszlai with a cross following a corner.

  6. Post update

    Corner, RB Leipzig. Conceded by Rúben Dias.

  7. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Yussuf Poulsen.

  8. Goal!

    Goal! Manchester City 6, RB Leipzig 3. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner following a corner.

  9. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Rúben Dias (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  10. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  11. Post update

    Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Péter Gulácsi.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Nathan Aké (Manchester City).

  13. Post update

    Brian Brobbey (RB Leipzig) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  14. Post update

    Offside, Manchester City. Fernandinho tries a through ball, but Nathan Aké is caught offside.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Lukas Klostermann.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Brian Brobbey (RB Leipzig) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Josko Gvardiol.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, RB Leipzig. Josko Gvardiol replaces Christopher Nkunku.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus replaces Jack Grealish.

  19. Dismissal

    Second yellow card to Angeliño (RB Leipzig) for a bad foul.

  20. Post update

    João Cancelo (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Comments

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900 comments

  • Comment posted by lee, at 22:27 15 Sep 2021

    Yawn at BBC mentioning the transfer fee again, as BT kept doing tonight yet no mention of “75 million” Sancho being taken off or the 901 million squad cost compared to 64 million for Young Boys last night. Its pathetic, childish and no wonder people no longer takes “journalism” seriously anymore, its no nothing more than pandering to teams in red and all about clicks.

    • Reply posted by LAMPO57, at 23:01 15 Sep 2021

      LAMPO57 replied:
      Twas ever thus , are the flags still at half mast at Media united ?

  • Comment posted by BishBashBosh, at 22:00 15 Sep 2021

    Liverpool 3 points City 3 points Chelsea 3 points Young Boys 3 points

    What a perfect first week for Champions league

  • Comment posted by Don-t tell him Pike, at 22:02 15 Sep 2021

    6 different goal-scorers. Not signing Kane could be the best transfer decision this year.

    • Reply posted by Commentier, at 22:09 15 Sep 2021

      Commentier replied:
      "City need a 20-goal a year striker"

      Better to have 10 getting 10+ a season

  • Comment posted by jambo1, at 22:05 15 Sep 2021

    Good advert for Manchester after the Salford shambles last night. Or good game for the neutrals.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 22:21 15 Sep 2021

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      Man City having to repair Manchester's football reputation once again.

  • Comment posted by talalg, at 22:00 15 Sep 2021

    Greliash keeps getting better and better . Excellent Sterling replacement. He does exactly what sterling doesn't , holding the ball , play as a team and decent finishing. Thank god Greliash took over Sterling's place

    • Reply posted by Ook the Librarian, at 22:02 15 Sep 2021

      Ook the Librarian replied:
      They both fall over ... lots!

  • Comment posted by STEVO, at 21:59 15 Sep 2021

    Well done City. Great match for the neutral.

    • Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 22:23 15 Sep 2021

      Lets Agree To Disagree replied:
      A match with goals galore always is.

  • Comment posted by stormbringer, at 22:03 15 Sep 2021

    Don't see too many of those results... Great.... Jack Grealish looking very good...

    • Reply posted by Commentier, at 22:16 15 Sep 2021

      Commentier replied:
      He's getting better. Player of year if he plays his cards right.

  • Comment posted by ian, at 22:04 15 Sep 2021

    Good win by City,hope our "Little neighbours"...were watching ..lol

    • Reply posted by Henry Hannon, at 22:12 15 Sep 2021

      Henry Hannon replied:
      Stockport fans were probably watching Inter v Real Madrid

  • Comment posted by Haz1998, at 22:19 15 Sep 2021

    Went as a technical neutral last minute thing with Dad but was happy for city to win. 9 goals, hat trick and a red card not bad for £22.

    • Reply posted by Bojku23, at 09:30 16 Sep 2021

      Bojku23 replied:
      Great evening for you, but shocking that City can't sell the tickets for their opening night CL game!

  • Comment posted by Landlova, at 21:59 15 Sep 2021

    Impressive and highly entertaining, well done City

    • Reply posted by LAMPO57, at 22:05 15 Sep 2021

      LAMPO57 replied:
      Night for the defence to forget , Ederson may as well have stayed in the changing room , good to see KDB and Philfo get some minutes in their legs , onwards and upwards.

  • Comment posted by CosySunset, at 22:09 15 Sep 2021

    Grealish is Man of the Match. Astounding performance I think we can all agree.

    • Reply posted by LAMPO57, at 22:35 15 Sep 2021

      LAMPO57 replied:
      Astounding , really ?

  • Comment posted by imado, at 21:59 15 Sep 2021

    Better than Man Utd.

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 23:38 15 Sep 2021

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      Certainly were! City love these loose games with a shootout. Both Manchester clubs have ridiculous net deficits but City getting better value. Bayern and Chelsea were not let you run around them that easy. And can hit on the break very easily. City look decent though

  • Comment posted by Gill, at 22:03 15 Sep 2021

    I’m not a supporter of any team featuring in this year’s competition but will gladly send out congratulations to the Man City team. Defeat after getting to the final last year and leaving empty handed must have been gut wrenching, they seemed focussed and motivated. I actually believe the Chelsea players watching Leicester celebrate the FA Cup win spurred them on in the Champions League final.

    • Reply posted by david, at 22:12 15 Sep 2021

      david replied:
      Swings and roundabouts

  • Comment posted by Gandalf, at 22:05 15 Sep 2021

    An odd, but entertaining game. Simply having too much firepower for your opponent isn’t a bad way to win, even if there were some issues.

    • Reply posted by LAMPO57, at 22:44 15 Sep 2021

      LAMPO57 replied:
      Some , you say ?

  • Comment posted by pean, at 22:05 15 Sep 2021

    Fun game to watch. Ake isn’t the answer. Not a terrible backup though. He’ll need to score every game to make up for his mistakes.

    • Reply posted by Commentier, at 22:16 15 Sep 2021

      Commentier replied:
      Not sure why but Ake looks poor. Very naive for all three goals.

  • Comment posted by Reg Varney, at 22:11 15 Sep 2021

    Great game for the neutral, but some woeful defending. Worthy winners and good to see some of those Kevin, Phil and Oleks coming back into the team. C'mon City.

  • Comment posted by ren, at 22:06 15 Sep 2021

    People have been joking about Grealish, but how much has Messi cost so far per yellow card?

    • Reply posted by LAMPO57, at 22:50 15 Sep 2021

      LAMPO57 replied:
      Thought Messi was a "free" transfer .