Manchester City returned to the best of their ability last night as they swept aside a lacklustre RB Leipzig in a 7-0 victory last night.
City were firing on all cylinders, with Kevin De Bruyne providing his trademark deliveries into the box and star of the show Erling Haaland netting an astounding five goals.
Last night’s thumping was record breaking for the Manchester side on two fronts. Not only did they equal their best ever result in the Champions League, but Haaland became City’s highest ever goalscorer in a single season.
Before yesterday the record stood at 38 goals, made by Tommy Johnson in 1929. Now, with nearly three months left of the season, Haaland has 39 goals in 36 games.
Reacting to his performance, Haaland said: “I can get better in everything. I have to be much better – heading, combining, everything.”
After the crucial win at Arsenal last month, the Manchester side saw a slight slump in form both in the league and Champions League.
However, last night demonstrated that Pep Guardiola’s side are enjoying some of their best form of the season so far.
When asked about De Bruyne’s form before the Leipzig clash, Guardiola said: “I like to think he will get better with the simple things, do them better. When he does that the rest comes.”
The pre-match comments seemed to spring the Belgian playmaker into life, as he produced a stellar European performance. After consistent key passes and deliveries throughout the game, De Bruyne capped the show off with a pin-point curling effort in added time.
Whilst much was expected of RB Leipzig before the game, the German side produced an underwhelming display. Highly rated defender Josko Gvardiol failed to keep Haaland and Co. at bay as the hosts ran riot.
After last night’s thrashing, Manchester City will be the team to avoid in Friday’s quarter final draw. The blue side of Manchester will once again be hoping that this is the year they can finally be crowned European champions.
Man of the Match Haaland is fully aware of this. The Norwegian striker said: “They didn’t bring me in to win the Premier League because they already know how to win it…I’m here to try to help the club develop even more and to win the Champions League.”
City continue their trophy push on another front this weekend as they host Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in the FA Cup quarter finals on Saturday.
Will this be the year that Manchester City achieve glory in Europe, or will it be another season of remaining restrained to domestic success?