The first part of the season was glorious for Manchester City, but that time seems to have been so long ago. Since an undefeated start, the team has been found guilty of financial fair play charges, and recent matches have not produced any wins. The team is tired of having to deal with nine matches in 21 days.
One of those was against RB Leipzig in Champions League play on Wednesday. A City club in proper form and fully fit shouldn't have had any real issues with the solid but unspectacular Bundesliga club. Enzo Maresca's club is neither of those two aspects currently, though.
Plus, other than Erling Haaland, no City player seems capable of scoring consistently. That cannot continue for the 2026/27 season if it is to ultimately be a success. What was a success, though, was the Blues beating Leipzig 3-2.
Winners and losers for Manchester City against RB Leipzig
Winner: Enzo Fernandez
While some of the other members of the club were struggling with consistency within the match itself, Fernandez was a bit of everywhere all the time. He was a thorn in the side of Leipzig, and one that had to be accounted for. His header in the 58th minute was a screamer that was simply indefensible.
Winner: Erling Haaland
This is Leipzig, so how could Haaland not score, right? After legging (literally) a goal in during the 78th minute, he now has 13 career goals against the German side. The Norwegian was often frustrated throughout the match with his usage, but when City absolutely needed a goal for a 3-2 lead, he was there.
Winner: Elliot Anderson
Anderson assisted on Haaland's goal with a brilliant cross just behind a Leipzig defender, but besides that, Anderson was a menace to Leipzig with his possession skills. He has the ability to steal the oxygen from any momentum the opponent might have. His transfer before the season was a season-altering one.
Loser: Phil Foden
Whatever is happening with Foden will hopefully be corrected soon, but he was atrocious in the first half against Leipzig and should have been subbed out early. He lost control of the ball often, seemingly lost on what he was supposed to be doing. He was so poor that City was lucky Leipzig didn't take advantage of the opportunities Foden was giving them.
Loser: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Donnarumma is capable of excellence, of course, but he makes some really odd decisions sometimes. That was sadly the case on Leipzig first goal (unless you count their own goal in the first half) when the keeper left far too much space for Ridle Baku from the side of the goal.
City didn't really deserve to be ahead at that point, but also didn't deserve for the keeper to leave his goal so open. Amid all his fantastic play, Donnarumma often gives a little to an opponent, too.
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