LEIPZIG, GERMANY (AFP) – Kyle Walker was proven a late crimson card as Manchester Metropolis suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at RB Leipzig on Tuesday (Dec 7), however Metropolis nonetheless superior to the Champions League’s final 16 as group winners.
Walker was dismissed seven minutes from time for kicking Leipzig striker Andre Silva, who had earlier doubled the hosts’ tally after Dominik Szoboszlai gave Leipzig a first-half lead.
“We confirmed at this time that with braveness and can we are able to beat everybody,” Szoboszlai informed DAZN.
Earlier than Walker’s dismissal, Metropolis had pulled a purpose again when Riyad Mahrez lastly headed previous Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, who had beforehand pulled off a string of saves.
Walker will now be banned for the primary leg of the final 16 tie.
“Proper now, we don’t know precisely what went flawed – we’ll have to take a seat down and analyse this,” stated Metropolis left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“That we had gained the group earlier than the sport had nothing actually to do with our efficiency.”
Regardless of PSG’s 4-1 win in opposition to Membership Brugge, Metropolis will go into Monday’s draw as Group A winners whereas third-placed Leipzig head into the knock-out levels of the Europa League.
After the ultimate whistle, Metropolis coach Guardiola couldn’t disguise his irritation on the sidelines on the near-deserted Crimson Bull Enviornment as the sport was performed behind closed doorways attributable to excessive numbers of Covid-19 circumstances in Saxony.
“We had already certified with one sport left from a troublesome group so I’m greater than glad with the efficiency in each single (European) sport,” Guardiola stated.
“We struggled within the first half at this time, however typically now we have performed nicely within the group levels.”
Leipzig rallied of their first sport since American coach Jesse Marsch was sacked after inconsistent outcomes. His assistant Achim Beierlorzer was on the house bench.
“That was the response we had needed – and anticipated – to see,” stated Leipzig chief government Oliver Mintzlaff, who fired Marsch on Sunday.
Within the build-up, Guardiola warned Kevin De Bruyne that he faces a struggle to win again a daily place within the Metropolis aspect after a marketing campaign marred by accidents and a coronavirus an infection.
The Belgium midfielder fired extensive after 17 minutes with the purpose at his mercy, then had a thumping free-kick saved by Gulacsi in his greatest possibilities of the sport.
Leipzig took the lead in opposition to the run of play when Konrad Laimer unleashed an outstanding cross which beat three defenders and put Szoboszlai in behind the Metropolis defence.
The attacking midfielder saved his nerve, rounded Metropolis goalkeeper Zach Steffen and fired into the empty web with 24 minutes performed.
Leipzig almost made it 2-0 with half-time approaching when Szoboszlai squared to Silva, however the Portugal striker headed straight at Steffen.
Guardiola responded at half-time by swapping England midfielder Phil Foden, who had an ankle knock, for Raheem Sterling, however Leipzig nonetheless held agency.
An enormous roar from the house bench echoed across the stadium when Silva thumped dwelling Emil Forsberg’s closing cross to make it 2-0 on 71 minutes.
Leaking a second purpose prompted Metropolis to rally and so they pulled one again when Oleksandr Zinchenko floated in a cross to the again put up which Mahrez buried.
Walker’s dismissal solely served to cut back Metropolis’s numbers for the ultimate seven minutes as Leipzig held on.