City Under-19s seal top spot following thrilling UEFA Youth League win over RB Leipzig

The visitors took the lead courtesy of a first-half Yannick Eduardo penalty but City showed resilience to fight back in a vital fixture at the Joie Stadium.

Kane Taylor levelled affairs part way through the second half from close range before Josh Adam’s goal topped off a hard-fought win for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side and sealed our position as group winners, so guaranteeing our place in the last 16 draw.

WHAT HAPPENED

It was a tame start to the game with both teams looking to see who might make any early mistakes that could be punished.

City looked to get minutes on the ball having not played a competitive game since our last Youth League outing against Young Boys three weeks ago.

But after 10 minutes of getting reacclimatised to competitive match action, our Under-19s came closest to breaking the deadlock.

Joel Ndala’s quick drive into the RB Leipzig box allowed him to hit the ball towards goal but Timo Schlieck caught the ball comfortably.

City came close again after skipper Max Alleyne made a charging run into Leipzig’s third. The centre-back split the defensive line with a sublime through ball to Jaden Heskey.

The striker cut the ball back across goal to an on-running Justin Oboavwoduo whose on-target shot was deflected wide for a corner.

A spell of possession for Leipzig then followed with two Tino Kaufmann chances coming close to giving the visitors the lead 10 minutes shy of the interval.

And it was the visitors who struck first from the penalty spot shortly before the break.

A long ball forward was misjudged by Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and pounced on by Nuha Jatta who was brought down by keeper True Grant inside the box despite his best efforts to nudge the ball away from goal.

RB Leipzig were awarded a spot-kick which Yannick Eduardo converted.

Kane Taylor almost drew City level from the near post as he tried to catch Schlieck off guard but the keeper reacted well to the close shot in City’s final chance of the opening 45 minutes.

Barry-Murphy’s side began the second half well and upped the tempo as we sought to fashion an early equaliser but we weren’t allowed any space for the final shot in any of our opportunities.

Oboavwoduo had a chance to level after his shot from inside the box was palmed by Schlieck and fell behind him, almost trickling over the goal line. The keeper quickly pounced on the ball to deny the England Under-17.  

Taylor then had an opportunity to find the target but his shot was cleared off the line by a frantic Leipzig defence.

City continued to pile on the pressure though and we deservedly drew level through Taylor.

Oboavwoduo demonstrated his quick feet on the right flank before Taylor was given the chance to make amends for his previous attempt at goal. A cheeky chipped ball into Taylor’s path by Susoho allowed the number 10 to slot the ball home just after the hour mark.

Oboavwoduo continued to inspire City’s attacks. He utilised his pace to get the ball into the box  but couldn’t get his shot away with the ball caught under his feet.

It was an absorbing, high quality clash, and Eduardo then sprinted down the opposite end and nearly regained Leipzig’s lead but Grant denied him with his chest from close range.

Josh Adam then gave City the lead for the first time in the clash thanks a fine team goal from City.

A long Galvez ball down the left flank which was left exposed by Leipzig was latched onto by Taylor. He drove to the byline before cutting the ball back to Adam who placed the ball into the back of the net confidently.

The visitors tested City’s defensive line in the closing minutes but Barry-Murphy’s side proved resilient and held firm to seal a defining three points. 

HOW WE LINED UP

Barry-Murphy’s side had waited three weeks to play a competitive game of football for City, having most recently overcome Young Boys courtesy of a 3-0 win in the UEFA Youth League.

The boss made five changes to his starting XI with a handful of players having returned from representing England at the Under-17 World Cup.

It was True Grant’s turn between the sticks with Lakyle Samuel returning to the regular backline of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Max Alleyne and Tomas Galvez.

In the engine room, Mahamadou Susoho was positioned centrally with Kane Talyor on his left and Josh Adam on the right.

City’s front line was spearheaded by City Under-18s captain Jaden Heskey with Joel Ndala and Justin Oboavwoduo providing width.

CITY XI: Grant, Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne ©, Galvez, Susoho (Noble 81’), Oboavwoduo (Carrington 90+2)’, Adam, J Heskey, Taylor, Ndala

SUBS: Murray-Jones, Noble, Carrington, Naylor, Gray, Harrison, R Heskey

RB LEIPZIG XI: Schlieck, Norbye, Hennig, Lenz ©, Schierack, Eduardo, Kaufmann (Stadel 71’), Bulland (Bayinder 71’), Meyer (Kuhnhardt 86’), Jatta (Onuoha 86’), Koss (Kohler 66’)

SUBS: Dickes, Havrylenko, Kuhnhardt, Kohler, Bayindir, Stadel, Onuoha

What it means

City are confirmed as winners of Group G and will go straight into the draw for the last 16.

RB Leipzig will enter the play-offs.

What’s next

City’s youngsters return to PL2 action on Saturday when we play host to Crystal Palace at the Joie Stadium.

Kick-off is at 13.00pm (GMT).