Manchester City and RB Leipzig played the most thrilling game to open up the 2021-22 Champions League season with a nine-goal thriller that saw City win 6-3. American fans won’t want to talk about the Jack Grealish vs Tyler Adams moment for City’s fourth goal.
Adams was caught ball watching and far too lackadaisical tracking back to get to a ball in his final third. His slowness allowed Grealish to pick up the ball and proceed to do horrible things to the American. Close your eyes USMNT fans, Adams is about to get murdered.
SUPER JACK. pic.twitter.com/H7sMs3i3ls
— UCL on Paramount+ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2021
Leipzig’s performance mirrored that of Adams’ defending.
American manager Jesse Marsch will be furious over his defense’s terrible display. The first of six City goals came off a corner 16 minutes into the game.
Nathan Ake scores his first City goal in a year pic.twitter.com/NJwkHrsTfQ
— UCL on Paramount+ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2021
The second City goal was arguably the worst for Leipzig as Nordi Mukiele scored one of the worst own goals you’ll ever see at the top level of play.
#UCL
Man City 2-0 RB Leipzig | Mukiele (own goal)to never miss any goal, Follow @IFAST66 pic.twitter.com/879NxyPcH4— Follow @IFAST66 (@ifast222) September 15, 2021
While the defense was hot steamy manure for Leipzig, Christopher Nkunku was determined to singlehandedly keep the Red Bulls in the game. The Frenchman had a hat trick on the day, but it was swept under the rug of City goals. He scored his first goal in the 42nd minute to make to score 2-1.
Just before halftime Marsch was again in disbelief as his side needlessly conceded a penalty after Lukas Klostermann handled the ball in the box. Riyad Mahrez confidently stroked in City’s third to make it 3-1.
Nkunku reenergized Leipzig’s hopes six minutes into the second half with another headed goal to bring his side within one.
Grealish then diced Adams for his first Champions League goal to make the score 4-2. The game was always a fingertip away for Leipzig as Nkunku secured his hat trick in the 73rd minute to make the scoreline 3-2.
The Leipzig mojo was slain less than 120 seconds after Nkunku’s hat trick by a João Cancelo bullet to restore City’s two-goal advantage.
JOAO CANCELO HIT THAT. pic.twitter.com/V3zoCm763L
— UCL on Paramount+ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2021
Angeliño was shown a second yellow card in the 79th minute to put the game further out of Leipzig’s reach. Dirt was kicked into the Red Bull wounds when Gabriel Jesus made it sixth to close out the game.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Adams’ ankles, please alert the authorities.