City's Under-19s hit back to claim UEFA Youth League draw at RB Leipzig

City had initially been indebted to a superb display from keeper George Murray-Jones, who produced a string of stunning saves before the hosts finally broke our resistance through Yannick Eduardo on the hour.

However, Brian Barry-Murphy’s youngsters showed courage and character by the bucket-load as we summoned up a wonderful response.

And our fightback was capped by a 72nd minute own goal from Leipzig skipper Elias Lenz who diverted a Jacob Wright free-kick into his goal to earn us a deserved point.

What happened

While City came into the game on the back of a fine 5-2 win at home to Red Star Belgrade in our opening group clash, Leipzig had recorded an impressive 3-1 win at Young Boys of Switzerland in their first outing.

As such it potentially promised to be our toughest assignment of the six-match group format.

And so it proved though it was City who made the brighter start as we sought to take the game to the hosts.

There was an early opening after Justin Oboavwoduo had powered down the right on three minutes and fed Jaden Heskey whose close range shot, though on target, lacked the necessary purchase.

Barry-Murphy’s youngsters threatened again two minutes later, this time on the opposite flank as Tom Galvez and Emilio Lawrence combined to set up Will Dickson whose close range shot whistled just the wrong side of the post.

Slowly though the hosts grew into the game – and City were soon grateful to Murray-Jones, with the keeper producing an inspired display.

There was danger at the opposite end on nine minutes after Leipzig danger man Yannick Eduardo tussled with Murray-Jones after the City keeper had come out of his box and squared the ball into the centre of the box where City were able to clear.

Fine work from skipper Max Alleyne then came to City’s rescue as Kaufmann raced through on goal from a long ball, the City captain’s crucial interception proving vital.

Murray-Jones then needed to be alert to parry away a stinging Osawe drive before the keeper followed up with another smart block from Leipzig skipper Lenz’ instinctive header from the resulting corner.

With the hosts looking threatening, another Leipzig long ball put Eduardo in on the left edge of the box and the Chilean pinged the outside of the right-hand post with a low drive

And Murray Jones was there again on 26 mins with another superb save to deny dangerman Eduardo after he latched onto an inviting Kaufmann ball.

Leipzig midfield kingpin Bayendir then tried his luck from 25 yards and Murray-Jones once more came to our rescue tipping the effort over.

And the City keeper produced his best save yet on 40 minutes driving to tip over a goal bound Kaufmann header - much to the German’s disbelief.

The Leipzig danger continued early after the break as Schierack latched onto another dangerous long ball and rifled a low drive just wide of the target.

However, the home pressure finally told with Leipzig making the breakthrough on the hour through Eduardo.

A swift move saw Bayandir find the overlapping Schierack and from his first-time cross Eduardo swept home a crisp strike for his eighth goal of the season with an effort that gave Murray-Jones no chance.

City though summoned up a superb response as we sought to immediately take the game back to Leipzig.

And on 71 minutes we drew level in dramatic circumstances.

A Jacob Wright free-kick from just outside the box was diverted in by Leipzig skipper Lenz but it was just reward for City’s endeavour.

With the clock running down it was City who looked the more likely victors but in the end the honours were shared after a superb encounter.

How we lined up

George Murray-Jones was in goal and shielded by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, skipper Max Alleyne and Tom Galvez.

Jacob Wright, Kane Taylor were in the engine room with Justin Oboavwoduo and Emilio Lawrence providing the width.

Jaden Heskey and Will Dickson formed our attacking duo.

CITY XI: Murray-Jones, Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne (C), Galvez, Wright, Oboavwoduo (Alfa-Ruprecht 67), Heskey, Dickson, Taylor, Lawrence (Ndala 67)

Subs: Grant, Carrington, Noble, Okeke, Adam

LEIPZIG: Dickes, Kob, Koehler, Nordbye, Schierack (Bulland 72), Lenz, Bayindir, Osawe, Meyer, Kaufmann (Sachse 72), Eduardo

Subs: Janosch, Hennig, Krause, Mohammad, Havrylenko

What it means

A point apiece means City and Leipzig both lead the way in Group F with four points apiece from two games, City on top thanks to a better goal difference.

Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys, who are both without a point, play later on Tuesday afternoon.

What’s next

Following today’s clash our Elite Development Squad now have a three-week break before we return to action.

We next take the field on Wednesday, October 25 when we are again in UEFA Youth League action away to Young Boys of Switzerland.

Kick-off is slated for 13.30pm (UK).