Castello Lukeba’s own-goal opened the scoring but the hosts were level just after the break through Ridle Baku’s cross-cum-shot.
Enzo Fernández put us back in front with a powerful header only for Antonio Nusa to equalise with a left-foot strike.
But the Blues weren’t to be denied and Haaland’s clinical finish ensured an awesome away day at the most formidable of venues with the hosts having won five in five without conceding before tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash.
The result, our third success in four games so far this season in the UCL, catapulted us up into seventh spot in the League Phase, the top eight going straight through to the Round of 16 after this stage of the competition is completed.
THE GAME IN 250 WORDS
There was a sad start to proceedings with a moment of silence just before kick-off in memory of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who sadly passed away at the age of 30 after suffering a cardiac arrest following a collision during a match against FC Andorra on Monday. The period of reflection also honoured those who lost their lives in the Toledo train collision on the Madrid–Seville high-speed rail line.
When the contest started, it was City who began with good intention.
Enzo Fernández produced a lovely layoff into the path of Rayan Cherki but the French playmaker could only slam his shot wide of Maarten Vandevoordt’s goal as the visitors looked for a fast start.
Slowly but surely, though, the hosts started to show the form that had made their home ground a fortress.
Antonio Nusa, who has the most goal involvements in the Bundesliga this season, forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a smart save with a snapshot from just outside the box. Then captain David Raum tried his luck with a rocket from 30 yards but thankfully Matheus Nunes was in the right place at the right time to block the effort.
Christoph Baumgartner curled one goalwards on the half hour mark but Donnarumma saw the effort past his post with the hosts undoubtedly growing in confidence at this point.
Brajan Gruda then pulled a shot wide from inside the box when well placed, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder beating his arms into the floor after spurning the good chance.
Enzo Maresca’s men came back into the contest as half-time approached.
Phil Foden moved the ball cleverly from his right to the left foot before sending an effort just wide as the visitors built some momentum.
Then came the goal, Nico O’Reilly producing a clinical cross into the danger zone which Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba could only bundle into his own net as he tried unsuccessfully to clear.
O’Reilly then set up Erling Haaland with a clipped cross but the captain couldn’t get the right purchase as his header failed to trouble Vandevoordt’s goal. O’Reilly himself then failed to connect properly with a Iliman Ndiaye centre with the whistle coming shortly afterwards.
The hosts came out fast at the start of the second half, Donnarumma tipping away a goalbound Baumgartner blast from just outside the box.
But our No.1 couldn’t keep out Ridle Baku’s low skidded effort from the right channel with the Italian expecting a cross but getting a shot that evaded him.
The home side were on the up and almost went in front with Ezechiel Banzuzi rifling into the sidenetting from close-range.
The visitors had a chance moments later but Haaland was denied by Vandevoordt who made a super stop low to his left to keep out the skipper’s effort.
City got back in front just before the hour mark courtesy of a bullet header from Enzo Fernández, the Argentine ace meeting a perfectly pinpoint cross from the left by Ndiaye.
The lead didn’t last long, Nusa producing an excellent left foot finish after being found by substitute Christopher Nkunku.
Vandevoordt had to be down smartly to keep out an effort from Cherki as the clock ticked down while Elliot Anderson sent a left-foot shot high and handsome when well-placed in the box.
But City weren’t to be denied and it had to be that man Haaland, skipper this evening, who slid across to meet an excellent centre from Anderson.
It brought up our No.9’s 13th goal in just nine appearances against Leipzig and his 62nd goal in 61 appearances in the UCL.
That wasn’t the end of the action, though, David Raum’s free-kick striking the crossbar with Donnarumma beaten.
Cherki nearly added a fourth for the Blues when his effort also smashed against the bar.
Brajan Gruda had the ball in the net at the death but he was deemed offside in the build-up before Haaland forced a superb save from Vandevoordt and Jeremy Doku blasted over looking for a fourth, with the whistle finally coming after four minutes of stoppages.
TEAMS
LEIPZIG: Vandevoordt, Baku (Henrichs 74’), Orbán, Lukeba, Raum, El Aynaoui (Seiwald 74’), Banzuzi, Baumgartner (Nkunku 57’), Gruda, Romulo Cardoso (Gomis 67’), Nusa (Reitz 73’)
Subs: Nyland, Kone, Maksimovic, Bakayoko, Estève, Klostermann
CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes (Dias 79’), Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Anderson (Bouaddi 83’), Fernández (Kovačić 83’), Ndiaye (Allan 83’), Cherki, Foden (Doku 64’), Haaland (C)
Subs: Bettinelli, Rulli, Aït-Nouri, Reis, Gvardiol, Samba, Lewis
MANAGER VERDICT
“Tough game in some moments. We controlled quite well but some moments we struggled.
“Champions League, Germany away, it’s tough so happy with the three points.
“They are well organised, they were aggressive and dangerous with the wingers.
“We needed to be careful on transition. Happy with the three points and now we recover and move on.”
HAALAND REACTION
“I think it’s the most I’ve scored against a club. I’ve played so many times against them with City in the Champions League and with Dortmund as well.
“Leipzig is a good team so I’m super happy about that.
“13 touches, it’s not the most but what is the most important? I helped the team to win so I’m super happy.”
WHAT IT MEANS
City now have three wins from four games in this season’s UEFA Champions League following tonight’s 3-2 success over RB Leipzig.
The result moved City into seventh spot in the League Phase table with those in the top eight places advancing directly to the Round of 16.
Our next UCL match sees us host Napoli at the Etihad on Tuesday 24 November with a 20:00 (UK) kick-off.
Next Fixture
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WHAT NEXT
It’s a quick turnaround for Enzo Maresca’s side as we face Nottingham Forest this coming weekend.
We take on the Tricky Trees at the City Ground with a 17:30 (UK) kick-off.
