Josco Guardiol of RB Leipzig scores the team’s first goal against Ederson of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League 16 leg one match between RB Leipzig and Manchester City at Red Bull Arena on February 22, 2023 in Leipzig, Germany. Photo Credit: Getty Images
RB Leipzig defender Josco Guardiol scored a header in the 70th minute to earn Manchester City a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old defender grabbed a deserved equalizer in the 27th minute after City’s Riyad Mahrez followed up on Leipzig’s mistake.
There was some controversy at the end with City seeking a penalty with the last kick of the game after the ball appeared to bounce off the hands of Benjamin Henriques in the box.
“Generally I’m really happy,” said coach Pep Guardiola. “I had a feeling the game would be decided in the second leg. I have a lot of respect for Leipzig.”
“Hopefully in three weeks we will be in a good position. We can do better. We have to adjust some things and find a way forward.”
When asked about the post-match grumble with his players, Guardiola said he told them to be proud of their performance.
“I said ‘Why are you putting your head down? Head up, that was good’.”
City had 74% possession and almost double the number of attacks of their opponents but have now drawn their last two games after being held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
Leipzig’s four game winning streak in the competition came to an end. The return leg is in Manchester on March 14.
The visitors, who are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the sixth consecutive season, were in complete control in the first half.
They went in front when Jack Grealish easily intercepted a weak Xaver Schlager pass on the edge of the box and played the ball through the middle for Mahrez to finish.
Rodri should have doubled their lead three minutes later when he was completely unmarked at the far post but his header went wide.
The hosts, who were outplayed in the first half and could only find their first shot on target in stoppage time, came out swinging after the break.
He should have equalized when Benjamin Henriques was left all alone in the box but sent his low shot wide.
City keeper Ederson turned away Andre Silva’s effort from close range before also denying Dominik Soboszlai in the 69th as Leipzig surged ahead.
The Germans were rewarded a minute later when Marcel Halstenberg floated a cross into the box and defender Guardiola lofted his marker to equalise.
“Two different halves,” said Leipzig coach Marco Rose. “We were very passive in the first one and just ran after them. The second one was different, just how we envisioned it and we put them under pressure.”
inter beat porto
Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored in the 86th minute to give Inter Milan a 1-0 win over Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter on Wednesday.
Alessandro Bastoni came close to giving Inter the lead in stoppage time in the first half, but his low header was expertly saved by Porto keeper Diogo Costa.
Porto midfielder Otavio was sent-off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Hakan Calhanoglu 12 minutes from time and Inter seized their chance.
Belgian Lukaku lofts Nicolo Barella’s cross against the post and the rebound goes past Costa.