Manchester City 3-1 Red Star Belgrade: Glazer’s Mistake Gifts City Victory

ETIHAD — The name of Glazer dominated Manchester football once again last night although, for once, it was not the unpopular United owners who were the talk of the town.

Omri Glazer, Red Star Belgrade’s Israeli international goalkeeper, turned in an inspired first half display to keep City at bay while Osman Bukari fired the Serbs into a shock lead.

But, after Julian Alvarez equalized for the defending Champions League winners, the keeper made a horrendous effort to punch clear a free-kick from the same player on the hour.

Glazer succeeded only in helping the ball into his own net with a weak, flailing fist and Pep Guardiola’s concerns were lifted.

A Shock Lead for Red Star Belgrade

The City manager had been stunned in the final minute of the first half when Bukari chased onto a through ball from Mirko Ivanic and calmly converted past the advancing Ederson.

The goal was quickly disallowed for offside but, after a lengthy VAR check, was allowed to stand, correctly, at least based on the video evidence available.

Five years to the day since City last lost a home European game – to Lyon – they were in danger of seeing a 26-game unbeaten run, 24 of them wins, come to a juddering halt.

Alvarez Levels the Score

It was, arguably, just the wake-up call City required and 72 seconds after the restart, they were level, through Alvarez.

The Argentine exchanged passes with Erling Haaland, darting into the area and rounding the Red Star keeper and rolling the ball in from a tight angle.

Victory Sealed by Rodri

Rodri made it 3-1 after 72 minutes, scoring with a super strike from 17 yards after Phil Foden had played an intelligent pass to him.

And, finally, normal service was resumed for the treble winners, even if a lot of what had gone before was far from it.

Missed Opportunities for City

After City had put together 55 attacks in the first period, and out-shot the visitors 22-1, it was incredible that Guardiola’s team was required to seek that equalizer although the champions – and Haaland, in particular – only had themselves to blame.

Haaland, scorer of 12 goals in 11 games during City’s rampage to the Champions League title, came closest with a thumping header against the crossbar from six yards following a delightful ball from Foden.

Gutsy Goalkeeping from Glazer

That was one of many chances City created, with Glazer doing particularly well to keep out a Nathan Ake header, from an Alvarez corner on 29 minutes.

And after just 14 minutes, he had done even better, flying to the top right-hand corner of his goal to deny Rodri’s powerful shot after the City midfielder did well to carve out space before shooting from the edge of the area.

Haaland’s “troubles” – an odd word to describe a striker who has scored seven goals in five league games this season – continued before the break when Sergio Gomez’s pullback found him eight yards out and he could only lean back and clear the bar by some distance.

City Dominates the Game

Following the equalizer, City kept their stranglehold on the game, with Kyle Walker having a goal ruled out for offside soon after.

Just before the second goal, Glazer spilled a shot from Alvarez and, with the goal gaping, the unmarked Haaland could only scoop his shot against the keeper’s head.

Glazer may still have been feeling the ill effects when he conceded the second although he later made amends with another fine save from Haaland at the foot of his post.

Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League group stage match. After a shock lead by Red Star Belgrade, Julian Alvarez equalized for City shortly after the second half started. Rodri sealed the victory with a goal in the 72nd minute. Despite City’s dominance throughout the game, they had to overcome missed opportunities, particularly by Erling Haaland. Red Star Belgrade’s goalkeeper, Omri Glazer, made several excellent saves but was also responsible for City’s first goal due to a mistake. City’s triumph ensured their unbeaten run continued and they maintained their status as defending Champions League winners.