Manchester City kicked off their 2021/22 Champions League campaign with a 6-3 victory over RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium last night.
Nathan Ake, Riyad Mahrez, Joao Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus all got on the scoresheet for City, whilst Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele scored an own goal.
For the visitors, Christopher Nkunku struck a hat-trick, before former City defender Angelino was shown a second yellow card.
Jack Grealish also scored for City – his second goal in six appearances since joining the club from Aston Villa this summer.
The 26-year-old midfielder also provided the assist for Nathan Ake’s goal that got City off the mark on the night.
The TV cameras picked up on the fact that, during the game, City boss Pep Guardiola was involved in some animated exchanges with both Grealish and Mahrez.
It’s not uncommon to see Guardiola do this over the years in order to get his points across to his players – but Grealish was asked about his exchange by BT Sport after the match.
Grealish and Guardiola on exchanges
Grealish explained (via Manchester Evening News): “That was defensive work. I won’t go too much into it because he might want the same tactics for the weekend.
“That’s what the manager is like, he’s always wanting more defensively and offensively.
“He’s someone I’m going to listen to after everything he’s done in the game. He’s obviously just handing out useful information.”
Guardiola said: “We spoke in half-time about the way we have to do it and they didn’t do it.
“They are so good, they make four players in the build up to attract you behind the holding midfielders where there aren’t a lot of players, where the ball goes outside and they are so fast when they attack in behind.”
City are next in action on Saturday afternoon. They host Southampton in the Premier League.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
