Young Boys 1-3 Man City: Player ratings as Haaland braces seals another Champions League win
Manchester City are on the brink of the Champions League knockout stage after beating Young Boys on Wednesday night in a third successive group win.
Two goals from Erling Haaland, one from the penalty spot, made the difference on an evening that wasn't exactly vintage from the reigning European champions. Manuel Akanji had put City into the lead early in the second half, but Young Boys had hit back through Meschack Elia.
Both sides had early chances in a fast start at Stadion Wankdorf, with Ederson beating away a powerful strike from Filip Ugrinic and Rodri going close to putting City ahead at the other end when a low header flashed just wide. Matheus Nunes also poked over from the middle of the box.
From their bright start, Young Boys soon dropped more and more into containment mode as City began to create chance after chance midway through the first half.
Haaland's eyes lit up when he was played in on goal, only for Young Boys goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi to quickly narrow the angle and get the merest of touches to deflect the shot. Jeremy Doku should have scored moments later, seeming to slip as he took aim and giving Racioppi a chance.
Young Boys briefly threatened on the break, before City went agonisingly close when Racioppi fumbled a Jack Grealish shot and Nunes’ scramble towards goal ended up being hooked off the line. Racioppi did much better just before half-time by spectacularly parrying Doku's curling shot from the left, and then saved with his legs when Rodri met the ball on the volley from a corner.
The Swiss resistance was eventually broken from a set-piece only moments after half-time. Racioppi was unfortunate, tipping Ruben Dias' header onto the bar with an acrobatic reflex save, only to see Akanji react
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