Manchester City 3-1 Crvena Zvezda - Julian Alvarez at the double, Rodri nets fine third as champions avoid scare

Defending UEFA Champions League champions Manchester City survived a scare in their first game of their title defence at home to Crvena Zvezda. The visitors from Belgrade took the lead just before the break in shock circumstances, with City having peppered their goal throughout the first half. However Julian Alvarez responded after the break and added a second in fortuitous circumstances.

Reigning Champions League holders Manchester City came from behind to beat Crvena Zvezda 3-1 on Tuesday night at the Etihad.

Manager Pep Guardiola had made changes to bring in some fringe players, and the home side struggled to play at their usual pace.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland missed great chances in the first half and were made to pay when Osman Bukari sprung the offside trap at the end of the half to score after a VAR review.

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In the second half, Julian Alvarez levelled after just two minutes after clever link-up play from Erling Haaland, and on the hour mark a howler from Omri Glazer gave Alvarez his second from a seemingly benign free-kick. It was a cruel blow for Glazer who had been superb in the first half in keeping City out.

From that point City pushed for more goals and last season’s Champions League hero Rodri curled in a third.

Talking point - City were complacent

Dominant in the second half, yes, but complacent in the first period. They played too slowly and they were far from ruthless up front.

Crvena Zvezda were the opposite, looking to make the most of what they could and they took the lead as a result.

There is little that can hold Guardiola’s side back, but arrogance and errors from within is potentially the biggest threat.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Player of the match - Julian Alvarez (Man CIty)

Omri Glazer looked poised to be the standout player before his error, and Alvarez made the decisive contributions. The Argentine is assuming more responsibility as he looks to step out of Erling Haaland’s shadow.

Player ratings

Man City: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Dias 6, Ake 6, Gomez 7, Rodrigo 7, Bernardo 6, Nunes 6, Foden 7, Alvarez 8, Haaland 6. Subs: Phillips 6, Doku 8, Akanji 7, Bobb 6, Lewis 6.

Crvena Zvezda: Glazer 5; Mijailovic 6, Dragovic 6, Djiga 6, Rodic 6; Stamenic 6, Hwang 6; Ivanic 6, Bukari 7, Mitrovic 6; Ndiaye 6. Subs: Olayinka, 6 Krasso 6, Lucic 6, Kanga 6, Degenek 7.

'The finish is incredible' - Alvarez levels for Man City moments into second half

Video credit: TNT Sports

Match highlights

25’ - HAALAND HITS THE BAR - Foden loops in a cross from the left and from close range he slams his effort over and past the 'keeper, but against the bar.

45’ - GOAL! MAN CITY 0-1 CRVENA ZVEZDA - BUKARI SCORES - The striker burst through the middle and clipped in an excellent finish with the half almost done.

47’ - GOAL! MAN CITY 1-1 CRVENA ZVEZDA - ALVAREZ SCORES - The Argentine is slipped in by a clever reverse pass from Haaland, and he finishes from a tight angle to level.

53’ - GOAL!? MAYBE NOT - Walker is on the edge of offside, he pushes the ball inside but it's deflected into his path again and he fires past the 'keeper, only for VAR to say no.

60’ - GOAL! MAN CITY 3-1 CRVENA ZVEVZDA - ALVAREZ SCORES - A free kick from the left is whipped in by Alvarez, but Glazer goes for a punch and puts it into his own net.

73’ - GOAL! MAN CITY 3-1 CRVENA ZVEZDA - RODRI SCORES - He darts into the box and curls a shot inside the far post.

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