To see the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the men of Pep Guardiola, deprived Wednesday evening of Kevin De Bruyne for the trip to Leipzig, will have to win on their lawn.

Ilkay Gündogan's teammates played two completely different matches at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig in eastern Germany.

For the first 45 minutes, they completely confiscated the ball, with at times up to more than 80% possession.

Leipzig coach Marco Rose had decided to let the Citizens play the game, with a single shot on target for the Red Bulls in added time from Timo Werner, without much danger for City goalkeeper Ederson.

But this dominance in the possession of Manchester City only resulted in a goal by Riyad Mahrez, the man in form of the Mancunians since January.

On a passing error from Xaver Schlager for Konrad Laimer, Manchester City recovered the ball through Jack Grealish.

Mahrez took advantage of the slight deflection of Ilkay Gündogan, to leave no chance to Janis Blaswich shortly before the half hour mark (27th).

Riyad Mahrez, scorer for Manchester City in Leipzig, in the 8th first leg of C1, February 22, 2023 © Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

Mahrez is on his seventh goal in 2023 with City (four in the Premier League, two in the Cup and one in the Champions League), for three assists.

The Citizens, however, did not accelerate enough while Leipzig was cornered in its camp, and paid for this lack of desire in the second half.

Leipzig returned to the pitch for the second half showing a completely different face, much more offensive and much more pressing, with in particular the German international Benjamin Henrichs, whose strike in the 55th minute did not find the frame.

Under pressure, Manchester City did not find the solution and the opportunities multiplied for Leipzig.

In the 63rd minute, on his left side of the German attack, the Portuguese André Silva dribbled past several players but his shot was stopped by Ederson (63rd).

The City goalkeeper was put to use again with a 69th-minute strike from Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai, deflected from the fingertips.

On the corner, the Brazilian is not exempt from any reproach completely missing his exit.

Croatian revelation of the World Cup-2022, Leipzig central defender Josko Gvardiol got the better of City's defense to equalize in the 70th.

The entry into play of Christopher Nkunku in the 63rd minute of play gave Leipzig an additional offensive weapon.

Despite opportunities on both sides, the score did not move in the last twenty minutes.

© 2023 AFP