Leipzig clawed back from deficits twice, yet after Nusa’s equaliser, teammate Haaland delivered the decisive blow in a roller‑coaster night at the Red Bull Arena. Can Leipzig overturn City’s dominance?
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RB Leipzig 2-3 Manchester City
Goals: 0-1 Lukeba 37′ (o.g.), 1-1 Baku 49′(assist: Gruda), 1-2 Fernández 58′ (assist: Ndiaye), 2-2 Nusa 61′ (assist: Nkunku), 2-3 Haaland 78′ (assist: Anderson)
Christoph Baumgartner started for Leipzig for the first time since recovering from injury, with Ridle Baku also coming into the side in place of Benjamin Henrichs and Rocco Reitz. Manchester City fielded Erling Haaland as captain, with Joško Gvardiol, who played for Leipzig between 2020 and 2023, named among the substitutes.
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Castello Lukeba turns the ball into his own net under pressure from Manchester City’s attack, putting the visitors ahead. – Alexander Hassenstein –>
City seized a lucky advantage.
City dominated early possession, but Leipzig looked sharper, with Nusa forcing a Donnarumma save and Raum seeing his shot blocked.
Defying the flow, Castello Lukeba turned Nico O’Reilly’s low cross into his own net in the 37th minute, handing City a halftime lead despite Leipzig’s promise.
Ridle Baku celebrated after slotting Leipzig’s opener from a tight right‑side angle. – ODD ANDERSEN
Leipzig struck back twice.
After the break Leipzig surged forward; Baumgartner compelled another Donnarumma save before Baku levelled from a sharp right‑angle in the 49th, fed by Brajan Gruda.
City answered via Enzo Fernández, heading home from ten yards after Iliman Ndiaye’s cross in the 58th. Leipzig struck back instantly: substitute Nkunku set up Nusa, who fired into the bottom corner three minutes later to make it 2‑2. In my view, Leipzig’s swift response showed real character.
Erling Haaland netted the decisive goal for City. – IMAGO