RB Leipzig – Manchester City
Champions League Group Stage Round 2
Leipzig, October 4, 21:00 CET
The impression is that RB Leipzig and Manchester City have played the best attacking football in Europe's strongest leagues since the beginning of the season.
In a direct duel in the Champions League group stage, on Wednesday in Germany, RB Leipzig will certainly not enter the field with the idea of dominantly defending against the Premier League and European champions.
What an attacking form: in the last 12 matches, since the beginning of August, RB Leipzig has scored at least two goals 11 times, and even ten times at least three goals! Previously, this team earned a 2:2 draw against the mighty Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, the previous weekend.
On the other hand, Manchester City remains the favorite, even though they are in a series of two unexpected defeats, the last of which (2:1 away to Wolves in the Premier League) was a pale edition of the famous coach Pep Guardiola's team. The outcome of the duel is difficult to predict, noting that both teams will certainly have a large number of shots and that focus in crucial moments in front of the goal will be extremely important in the fight for victory.
We should expect goals already in the first half, and at least three by the end of the game. RB Leipzig is weakened, without versatile wing-forwards Werner and Olmo, and the question is whether they will be able to count on Slovakian Kampl. On the other hand, first star De Bruyne is already out for the long term for City, as is defender Stones. Another problem for Guardiola is a new injury – Portuguese maestro and attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva has a minor problem and the question is whether he will be able to play.
Before the two defeats in the last week, Manchester City was an extremely effective team in away matches, continuously and since the start of the preparations for the new season. In the last seven away games played by City, at least three goals were scored six times.
In their duel played at the beginning of December 2021, RB Leipzig achieved a historic victory for them - 2:1 in Germany. The teams also played a 1:1 match in February of this year in Germany, also in the Champions League - and it can be said that the German club then had much fewer top options when it comes to attacking play.
RB Leipzig's characteristic 4-4-2 formation for high-pressing play and quick counterattacks is precisely the pledge to believe that we can expect an extremely fast-paced match with a large number of chances on both sides.
As hosts, RB Leipzig last lost on April 1st (against Mainz 3:0) and will surely perform without any fear or feeling of inferiority against the favourites. Both the German team and the European champions will play with the desire and mindset to score more goals than their rivals, in potentially the most attractive match of the Champions League this Wednesday.