29LABs

The Norwegian striker managed just one shot in a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena…

Manchester City completely lost their way in the second half of Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.

The English champions appeared to be cruising to victory in the last-16 first-leg clash at the Red Bull Arena, with Riyad Mahrez having given them a deserved lead with a fine finish from the edge of the area.

However, Leipzig slowly but surely gained a foothold in the game after the restart and were full value for their 70th-minute equaliser, which came courtesy of a towering header from Josko Gvardiol.

Below, GOAL runs through the ratings from a game which Erling Haaland failed dismally to impact, with the Norwegian striker managing just one shot, and only 22 touches…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Ederson (5/10): A virtual spectator during the first half but forced into making a couple of fine stops before completely losing the flight of the ball for Leipzig’s leveller.

Kyle Walker (5/10): Offered little going forward, repeatedly losing possession, while Time Werner’s pace caused him some problems.

Manuel Akanji (5/10): Enjoyed an armchair ride for 45 minutes but Silva turned him inside out at one point midway through the second half.

Ruben Dias (4/10): Utterly untroubled during the first half but was exposed on Leipzig’s equaliser, with Gvardiol absolutely annihilating him in the air.

Nathan Ake (5/10): The introduction of Benjamin Henrichs proved a turning point for Ake, who suddenly looked vulnerable at left-back, leaving his flank completely exposed at one point.

Midfield

Rodri (6/10):

His immaculate passing was key to City’s first-half supremacy, with the Spaniard even going close to scoring. However, he was far less influential after the break.
Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Lively throughout and played a key role in the goal by occupying Josko Gvardiol. Later went close to putting City back in front with a low drive 17 minutes from time. His passing was very poor, though.

Attack

Riyad Mahrez (8/10):

City’s most dangerous and creative attacker. A real threat in the opening 45 minutes and took his goal with aplomb.

Bernardo Silva (6/10):

A characteristically industrious display, with the Portuguese winning plenty of duels and incessantly asking questions of the Leipzig defence with his probing passes into the final third.

Jack Grealish (7/10):

Really starting to impose himself on this City side, with his belief growing by the game, as underlined by the run which led to Mahrez breaking the deadlock.

Erling Haaland (3/10):

A painfully ineffective evening from the Norwegian, who never really got into the game and fluffed his one big chance by dragging a right-foot shot badly wide after being put in on goal in the 68th minute.

Subs & Manager

Pep Guardiola (4/10):

Everything was going so well at the break, with City a goal up and absolutely bossing the game. However, it was clear very early on in the second half that the momentum had shifted significantly, and Guardiola was guilty of failing to react, refusing to even make a substitution before Leizpeig’s equaliser, which had been clearly coming. City’s stuttering form continues…