Josko Gvardiol stifled the specter of Manchester City star Erling Haaland earlier than scoring himself to earn Leipzig a 1-1 draw within the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup within the Champions League Wednesday.
The Croatia center-back, nicknamed “Little Pep” due to the similarities of his final identify with that of City supervisor Pep Guardiola, headed dwelling the equalizer within the seventieth minute after Leipzig lastly obtained to grips with the English champions.
City dominated the primary half with out Haaland, its high scorer, getting a sight on purpose and Riyad Mahrez netted the Twenty seventh-minute opener after Ilkay Gundogan flicked by means of a move from Jack Grealish.
As Haaland grew pissed off within the second half, City misplaced management of the sport and Leipzig posed extra of a menace, creating the higher of the probabilities.
It leaves the match well-poised heading into the second leg on March 14 in Manchester as City appears to be like to win its first Champions League title.
Guardiola held a mini-debrief along with his gamers on the sector after the ultimate whistle, clearly sad at seeing the group throw away the benefit after a first-half efficiency that would have led to extra than simply Mahrez’s twentieth Champions League purpose.
Haaland had solely seven touches earlier than halftime – none of them coming in Leipzig’s penalty space – and he had just one alternative in the entire match when he obtained free down the correct halfway by means of the second half and snatched at a shot that dribbled broad.
Leipzig’s further depth and aggression paid off because the German group lastly confirmed why it had misplaced simply certainly one of its 20 earlier matches in all competitions.
Benjamin Henrichs side-footed broad when he was one on one with goalkeeper Ederson, who obtained down effectively to disclaim Andre Silva.
However, Ederson was left stranded when Marcel Halstenberg swung over a left-wing cross and 21-year-old Gvardiol – the most effective defenders finally yr’s World Cup and amongst Europe’s most sought-after younger gamers – obtained above Ruben Dias to nod the ball into an unguarded web.
When Leipzig final visited City’s Etihad Stadium, it was routed 6-3 in a wild group-stage sport within the Champions League final season.
Christopher Nkunku scored a hat trick for Leipzig on that evening and the France striker got here on in its place within the second half, stepping up his sharpness after a left knee harm sustained in coaching in November simply earlier than flying out to the World Cup.
Nkunku could be match to begin the second leg when City ought to have Kevin De Bruyne out there once more. The playmaker was absent on Wednesday due to an sickness.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
