๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ! Pep Guardiola has overtaken Alex Ferguson in most UCL wins ranking
All-time Champions League wins as of today:
1๏ธโฃ 109 โ Carlo Ancelotti ๐ฎ๐น
2๏ธโฃ ๐๐๐ โ ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ช๐ธ
3๏ธโฃ 102 โ Sir Alex Ferguson ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
4๏ธโฃ 82 โ Arsene Wenger ๐ซ๐ท
5๏ธโฃ 77 โ Josรฉ Mourinho ๐ต๐น
โฆwhoโs the ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐?
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Player ratings: Manchester City’s best and the rest
Manchester City title against RB Leipzig
Guardiola’s tactical prowess
As the floodlights shone over the Red Bull Arena, Manchester City displayed a dizzying mix of precision and control. The reigning European champion set the pace early, taking the lion’s share of the ball with 88% possession in the first ten minutes.
The moments that shone
The purpose of the city was clear from the beginning. Lewis, whose presence on the court seems to grow with each game, started the threat. However, young Phil Foden, the heartbeat of this city, lit up the arena as he turned in Lewis’ immaculate cross and sent it skyward to nestle into the top corner. Despite City’s ban, the Bundesliga players made a statement after the break. Lois Openda’s fine finish breathed life into Leipzig’s hopes and lifted them up. City’s tales took a turn when Julian Alvarez’s mesmerizing curler restored the English giants’ supremacy.
As if playing ancient symphonies, Jeremy Doku added the final notes to score City’s third, underscoring their European ambitions.
Durability of champions
Each story is about triumph and turbulence. Leipzig’s strength disrupted City’s possession at times, especially in the absence of their main playmaker, Dani Olmo. Leipzig’s brief revival after half-time, when Openda capitalized on Yussuf Poulsen’s slick pass, briefly threatened to turn the tide.
But in Guardiola’s world, adversity breeds greatness. Foden remained the main keeper, his brilliance evident in the way he constantly opened up Leipzig’s defence. The climax was inevitable and Guardiola’s masterstrokes from the bench, especially Alvarez and Doku, showed why Manchester City are respected in European circles. Assessment of the Masters
Ederson (6/10) – Mostly untested but caught once.
Kyle Walker (7/10) – His speed stifled Leipzig’s attacks and established himself as a defensive pivot.
Manuel Akanji (7/10) – Akanji’s versatility was evident in the midfield role. Ruben Dias and Josko Guardiol (6/10 and 7/10) – The duo held firm, with Guardiol shining against his former teammates.
Rodri and Rico Lewis (7/10 and 8/10) – The engine of City’s midfield, young Lewis has been praised for his hard work and creativity. Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden (7/10 and 8/10) – Silva’s dance on the right blended perfectly with Foden’s central magic.
Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland (5/10 each) – a night where they overshadowed the brilliance of their teammates.
From the bench: Doku (8/10) and Alvarez (8/10) – Or the trumps of City. Their late intervention changed the dynamics of the game.
Manager Pep Guardiola (8/10) – His mid-match adjustments reinforced City’s intentions, a testament to his tactical intelligence. Man of the Match: Julian Alvarez, Manchester City. His footprints on the game were undeniable, a game changer in every way.
With Manchester City, RB Leipzig and the Champions League thrown together, this storied encounter wasn’t just a game, it was a spectacle of footballing art. As the Champions League journey progresses, both teams have lessons to learn and laurels to build on.
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