Defending Champions Manchester City Overcome Crvena Zvezda’s Challenge at the Etihad

The reigning champions of Europe, Manchester City, hosted Crvena Zvezda at the Etihad Stadium in their quest to kickstart their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League title defense with a victory against Serbian opposition. However, Barak Bakhar’s side, who had tasted European glory themselves in 1991, were determined to secure their first win on English soil in fifty years.

Starting Lineups:
MCI: Ederson; Gómez, Aké, Dias, Walker; Nunes, Rodri; Foden, Álvarez, Silva; Haaland

CZV: Glazer; Rodic, Dragovic, Djiga, Mijailović; Stamenić, Hwang; Mitrović, Ivanić, Bukari; Ndiaye

Manchester City found themselves trailing for the second time in less than a week on Tuesday evening when Osman Bukari scored for Crvena Zvezda just before halftime at the Etihad Stadium. Bukari was played through on goal by Mirko Ivanić and remained composed when one-on-one with Ederson, surviving a VAR check for a potential offside.

However, City’s deficit didn’t last long. Just ninety seconds into the second half, Julián Álvarez equalized. He capitalized on Erling Haaland’s pass, rounding Omri Glazer and slotting home from a tight angle, setting the stage for an exciting second half.

On the hour mark, Álvarez completed his brace with a free-kick that took advantage of a Glazer mistake. The goalkeeper’s attempt to punch the delivery away from danger backfired, allowing the ball to sail uncontested into the top corner, giving City full control of the match.

With less than twenty minutes left in regulation time, Rodri added City’s third goal, marking his first goal on the European stage since his decisive strike against Internazionale in Istanbul. Receiving Phil Foden’s pass, the Spaniard weaved through the defense before curling the ball past Glazer.

In their next UEFA Champions League fixture, Manchester City will be on the road, traveling to face RB Leipzig on 4 October, while Crvena Zvezda will be at home, welcoming Young Boys to the Rajko Mitic Stadium.