Europe Champions, Manchester City defeated Switzerland side Young Boys at the Stade de Suisse by three goals to one in the third game of the UEFA Champions League Group stage, thanks to Erling Haaland’s brace and a goal from Manuel Akanji.
With the victory against Young Boys, the Champions maintained their perfect start to this season’s UEFA Champions League with three consecutive victories in the first three games of the competition.
City dominated the opening moments of the first half but it was the home side who came close to scoring as Filip Ugrinic received a pass from Joel Monteiro in the penalty area but was denied by the Manchester City goalie, Ederson with a brilliant save.
The English side carved out chances of their own as Rodri’s close-range header from a corner went wide and Haaland missed a chance to end his Champions League goal drought after connecting with a cross from Jack Grealish but the Norwegian’s strike went straight at Anthony Racioppi, the Young Boys goalkeeper.
Manchester City continued their onslaught in the first half as Grealish’s cross was accidentally dropped onto Matheus Nunes by Racioppi. The ball almost rolled beyond the goal line but was cleared off the line by Loris Benito to keep the home side from going behind.
Towards the closing moments of the first 45, Racioppi denied Jeremy Doku twice. Young Boys also created chances with Cedric’s effort saved by Ederson before heading wide from a corner kick. A desperate tackle from Nathan Ake denied Sandro Lauper a one-on-one opportunity to give the hosts the lead as the first half ended goalless.
The visitors got the breakthrough three minutes into the second half from a corner kick which was delivered in again after an earlier clearance from Young Boys. Ruben Dias connected with the ball but was denied by the crossbar. The return ball fell to Akanji who slotted the ball into the net.
However, the home side drew level from a counterattack after Racioppi saved a shot from Haaland and immediately converted defense to attack. Cheikh Niasse set up Ella and the forward chipped the ball over Ederson to draw them level.
City re-established their lead via a spot-kick after Rodri was fouled in the penalty area. Haaland stepped up and converted the penalty to end his Champions League goal drought in five games. Pep Guardiola’s side also had a goal by Julian Alvarez ruled out for a Grealish handball in the buildup.
Moments later Haaland missed a one-on-one opportunity which was saved by Racioppi to keep his team in the game. However, City Haaland put the game beyond the hosts’ reach with one minute left of regular time. The Norwegian striker struck a right-footed shot into the roof of the net to seal the three points for the Cityzens.
With this result, Manchester City are now one win away from the Champions League knockout stages and will now focus on Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
