Haaland struck 12 minutes from time at Red Bull Arena to settle a tie Manchester City had led twice and surrendered twice. The Norwegian turned in Elliot Anderson’s cross at the far post, as reported by Sky Sports, for a goal that lifted City to seventh in the Champions League league phase table.

Then he told the broadcaster his team should have been out of sight before he arrived at the far post.

“I think we need to step up a bit. When we were 1-0 up I think we needed to go at it,” Haaland said to Sky Sports.

The Norwegian, one of two named captains at the club this season, also made clear why the win felt heavier than it should have. City led through Castello Lukeba’s own goal in the first half, only for Ridle Baku to level early in the second. Enzo Fernández put City back in front with a header from Iliman Ndiaye’s cross before Antonio Nusa made it 2-2 within three minutes. Haaland’s intervention was the fourth lead change of the night.

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A record that keeps growing

Leipzig have now conceded 13 goals to Haaland across nine appearances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, the highest total he has recorded against any single opponent in his career. The run includes his five-goal haul for Manchester City against the same club in March 2023 and continued through his time at Borussia Dortmund.

“I think it is the most I have scored against a club. Leipzig is a good team so I am happy,” Haaland said of the tally.

Maresca accepts the critique

Enzo Maresca, who replaced Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the summer and is still assembling his version of the squad, did not dispute his captain’s reading of the game. The Italian told reporters that City had given away “quite silly goals that we can avoid” and framed the rough edges as part of a new project.

“For me it’s a normal thing because it’s just four months ago that we started. It’s not automatic,” Maresca said.

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He was warmer on Haaland, who shares the captaincy at the club this season with Ruben Dias.

“I said yesterday that it’s always important that Erling is inside the game. We know that any moment he can help us and he can score goals.”

Next up in the league phase

City return to Premier League action before their next Champions League matchday. The league phase resumes later this month, with Manchester City needing points to climb from seventh if they want to avoid the knockout play-off round in February.

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