Manchester City v RB Leipzig - UEFA Champions League - Wednesday 15th September 2021 - KO. 20:00 BST. Preview and MDT | Page 3 | Vital Football

Manchester City v RB Leipzig - UEFA Champions League - Wednesday 15th September 2021 - KO. 20:00 BST. Preview and MDT

SWP on Mahrez 🗣
A start for our Algerian wing wizard tonight. SWP is a big fan:

"He has that style where you think he’s not involved enough, but he only needs one moment in a game to produce magic.

"He’s so clinical in front of goal.

"If you give him the chance it will go in the back of the net."
 
Commentary By @
19:21
Pep on Leipzig 🗣
"They are so intense, with so many transitions. They are so aggressive the way they play.
"Hopefully we can play good with the ball and win the game.
“It is the first game in the group stage and to talk about the latter stages we have to deserve to be there.
“When we start this competition every season and people ask who is the favourite I cannot answer you. It is unpredictable - many strong teams. The group stage is always difficult.
“Leipzig are always very good. They have a strong philosophy - young players, dynamic, physical, strong, playing narrow in all senses.
“One step at a time."
 
Commentary By @
19:35
Fantastic Mr. Foden 😲
WOW - if ever you needed more evidence of Phil Foden's technical ability, look no further than what I've just witnessed in the warmup.
He's just smacked the ball at least 60 yards directly into the air after doing some kick-ups and nonchalantly brought it down perfectly without even breaking stride.
A further indication of the supreme quality and dedication of our Stockport schemer.
 
Commentary By @
19:42
SWP on Torres 🗣
"He finishes like a striker. He takes that extra touch. He seems to be able to take that little poke a bit further and then get it.
"He has such a striker mentality. Now you understand why he made that transition from wing to forward so well.
"He’s honestly got a lot more to come and I’m so looking forward to seeing it.
"You just know he will get into double figures with the likes of Mahrez, Sterling, Grealish, if you can keep spreading that out, then it’s great."
 
Commentary By @
19:45
Rockin Ruben 🏆
As the players make their way back into the changing room, Ruben Dias receives his UEFA Champions League defender of the year for his exploits in last season's competition.
Our skipper for the night gets a rapturous applause from the City fans as he gets his hands on the trophy!
 
Early exchanges ️⚽
Christopher Nkunku's taken a whack already as former City man Angelino whips a ball in from the left.

Nathan Ake just beat him to the ball, with the forward and our Dutch defender colliding.

A blood and thunder start to proceedings as City start to get a feel of the ball.
 
Electric atmosphere 🎶
Ruben Dias plays an exquisite cross-field ball over to Grealish, who pluck the ball out of the air on the left wing before attempting a quick one-two with Bernardo.

It doesn't quite come off, but it's a signal of intent early on for City.

In the meantime, the City supporters haven't stopped singing since kick-off, with MCFC OK ringing around the stadium as there's a slight break in play.

What a brilliant atmosphere so far.
 
Penalty shout, but given offside anyway, so doesn't matter
Commentary By @
9'
Penalty shout 🗣
Grealish finds Torres with a clever reverse pass in behind.
The Spaniard is sent sprawling inside the box after a heavy challenge from Tyler Adams, but the play is brought back for an offside.
A let off for the visitors.
 
Zinchenko gets a yellow
Commentary By @
Open
12'
Early caution
Oleks Zinchenko catches Dani Olmo with a trailing arm as the Leipzig forward looks to skip away towards the box.
Referee Serdar Gozubuyuk pulls the play back and brandishes a yellow card, much to the dismay of Zinchenko and the City supporters.
Something for the Ukrainian to be aware of for the next 80 minutes...