Man City vs Red Star Belgrade LIVE: Champions League result as Julian Alvarez hits double in comeback win
Man City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade: Alvarez scored twice after half time as the holders came from behind to begin their Champions League defence with three points
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Holders Manchester City recovered from falling a goal behind to outclass Red Star Belgrade 3-1 in their Group G opener with Julian Alvarez scoring twice at The Etihad.
Pep Guardiola's side dominated the opening period but were guilty of wayward finishing and trailed to a sucker-punch just before halftime as Osman Bukari broke clear to finish in style.
City began the game on a 26-match unbeaten run in Champions League home games and normal service was resumed almost immediately after the restart as Alvarez levelled after combining with Erling Haaland.
A misjudgement by Red Star keeper Omri Glazer allowed an Alvarez cross to go into the net on the hour and Rodri made it 3-1 with a clinical finish after 73 minutes as City made it 19 home wins in succession in all competitions.
HT Man City 0-1 Red Star Belgrade
Half-time! Man City 0-1 Red Star Belgrade
The Manchester City fans are shocked. Their team should be ahead by quite a way but instead Red Star have nipped in front with a wonderfully finish from Osman Bukari.
This match is only halfway done but Red Star now have something to defend.
GOAL! Man City 0-1 Red Star Belgrade (Bukari, 45’)⚽️
The goal stands! Red Star Belgrade take the lead on the stroke of half-time. That’s a real shock to the system but it’s a perfectly taken goal from Osman Bukari.
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
45 mins: Disallowed goal! Osman Bukari is fed in behind the Manchester City line with a simple forward pass and he sprints sharply past Ruben Dias.
He takes the ball into the box, opens up his body and scores calmly to shock the Etihad.
The assistant referee immediately lifts the offside flag but VAR are checking this, it looks tight...
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
43 mins: Pep Guardiola makes a change before half-time with Bernardo Silva, who seems to have picked up a slight niggle, replaced with the electric Jeremy Doku.
His pace could prove useful to City as they hunt for an opener.
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
40 mins: And again! Sergio Gomez whips a cross into the box from the left wing and Phil Foden should score. He has free header and pings it into the floor but it’s straight at Omri Glazer who pushes it away.
Bernardo Silva gets to the rebound but his effort is blocked and cleared away.
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
37 mins: Omri Glazer continues to be a bane for Manchester City as he flings himself to dive to his right to parry a dipping effort from Julian Alvarez with of the target.
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
34 mins: Milan Rodic joins Rodri in the book as he picks up a yellow card for sliding through Matheus Nunes, leaving the City’s new man hobbling around the pitch.
City are pushing for the opener but it’s not easy for them. Pep Guardiola’s looks a little frustrated.
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
30 mins: Save! The corner ball is curled beautifully onto the head of Nathan Ake who powers his shot towards the far bottom corner of the goal.
Omri Glazer leaps across and palms his effort wide of the post. Another fine save from the Red Star goalkeeper.
Man City 0-0 Red Star Belgrade
28 mins: Red Star will be pleased with their efforts so far in this game but it’s Man City who are missing chances rather than being kept quiet.
Kyle Walker fancies a shot from the right side and wins a corner after a deflection takes the ball out of play.
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