'Old man' De Bruyne rolls back the years
Kevin De Bruyne was told to go back to basics by Pep Guardiola on the eve of Manchester City's rout of RB Leipzig, after the Belgian responded to his slight dip in form by saying he was an 'old man' in this game. He looked the youngest on the pitch against Leipzig, whipping in crosses from the start and playing with a definite point to prove. He already looked in the mood by the time he unleashed a fierce drive that smashed the bar and provided Erling Haaland with his second in as many minutes.
Fans had given their backing to De Bruyne before the game and during it after his recent headlines. The Etihad was bouncing after Haaland's quickfire double to put City in control but it was De Bruyne's name ringing around the stadium rather than the goalscorer following his role in the goal. City needed a man for the big occasion - in De Bruyne and Haaland they had two.
He spent the rest of the game dictating play, sending teammates through on goal, and throwing himself infront of anything he could. In the last minute, he curled a stunner into the top corner to make it seven. As it transpires, 'back to basics' for De Bruyne means being the best player on the pitch in a big game again.
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Haaland's heroics
Erling Haaland restored his one-goal-per-game ratio within two minutes in the first half against Leipzig, scoring his second penalty in as many games before following up when De Bruyne smashed the bar. City bought the striker to prove the difference in these very games, and he did exactly that.
More impressive, though, will be his all-round play after City struggled to get him involved in the first leg. Haaland was coming deep to start counters, closing down defenders in terrifying fashion, and nobody was stopping him from sealing another first-half hat-trick on the line. His fourth and fifth were just putting icing on the cake.
This was a return (if he had ever departed) to his deadly best, but another step in the right direction for Haaland's build-up play. If the goals are returning and the build-up is becoming more integrated, Haaland could be hitting his most dangerous form at the perfect time.
Grealish's stock grows
This was Jack Grealish's 12th game starting on the left of the last 13, and he added another assist for the fourth goal after the break. In the first leg, Grealish was part of a system that controlled Leipzig as much as possible; in the second leg he played his part in dismantling them. Often an outlet for Haaland to play off, Grealish had another quietly effective game and was given a deserved rest when the sixth goal went in. It was his corner that Ruben Dias headed goalwards for Haaland to poke home a hat-trick goal.
For Guardiola to play only one recognised winger, and for that player to be Grealish, shows how far he has come this year. Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez could only watch from the bench, and when Grealish was replaced he got a playful push and huge bearhug from the manager. He may get dropped vs Burnley in the cup, but Grealish is now one of City's go-to players on these big nights.
Unlucky Akanji
City were well in control by the second half, and Erling Haaland sensed the chance to score record-breaking fourth and fifth goals. Both, though, could have been Manu Akanji's, as he was twice denied from close range by Janis Blaswich in the Leipzig goal before Haaland followed up - after he had followed up on Ruben Dias' header for his hat-trick. The sign of a good striker, of course.
However unlucky Akanji was not to get on the scoresheet, he put in another impressive performance in defence, and continues to keep Aymeric Laporte warming the bench. Pep Guardiola suggested last week that he wouldn't rotate as much going into the final months of the season, instead rewarding the players who are playing well. On that basis, Akanji deserves to keep his place as much as anyone.
Laporte's reality check
With four defensive spots and eight defenders to pick from - plus Bernardo Silva - there were always going to be some unhappy players on Tuesday night sat on the bench. Pep Guardiola kept the same back four who stopped Crystal Palace from having a shot on target at the weekend, meaning Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte must wait to get back in the side.
For Laporte, this was the 15th time in the 20 games since the World Cup when he hasn't started, with only five of those due to illness or injury. He's been overlooked against Arsenal and Tottenham twice, Leipzig, Manchester United and away at Leeds, suggesting he is no longer the preferred pick for the big games.
In the past, when he's been left out during similar runs, he has vocally expressed his frustration at not starting, and left the possibility open for a potential exit. When John Stones was replaced at 6-0, it was Sergio Gomez who came on for the last half hour, not Laporte, who hadn't even bothered to take his winter coat off in the warm-ups.
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