The Holders Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku scored the game-winning goals for Manchester City in the last minutes of Wednesday’s Champions League Group G match against RB Leipzig, which they played at home. The win allowed City to bounce back from consecutive losses on the domestic front and take leadership of the group with three points.
In the 84th minute, Alvarez curled his shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. He then set up Doku in stoppage time for their third goal as City, who had lost to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup before their league loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, moved up to six points from two games in first place. Doku scored the goal as City moved past Wolverhampton Wanderers into first place.
Pep Guardiola, the team’s coach, praised Julian Alvarez for the significant contribution he made.
After having a spectacular individual season in which he contributed to Argentina’s qualification for the World Cup and winning the Copa America with Argentina, the manager of City said that he had no concerns about his player’s talent.
But with the strong play of John Stones, Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ilkay Gundogan, the former captain, in the middle of the pitch during the previous season, Alvarez has been patiently waiting for his chance.
In addition, he has been in tremendous form so far this season, already tallying five goals and four assists, and he made a significant impact as a replacement in Germany with 79 minutes still to play.
“When a player is a world champion with Argentina and plays in the starting XI for Argentina, it’s because he is a good player,” Guardiola told reporters.
“During the previous season, he joined the team at a time when we already had John, Rodri, Kevin, and Gundo, and the lineup was successful. As a result, he didn’t play very much, but he never voiced any complaints, and now look what’s transpired.
“When you have this positivity and go there, make three runs, two or three crosses, and make an outstanding goal again – it’s not the first time he scored this type of goal,” the commentator said.
“In ten to fifteen minutes, the effect was tremendous. It is very critical to have these individuals on the bench with the mindset that they now possess.