Manchester City Zooms Into The Next Stage of the 2023 / 24 UEFA Champions League, Pipped FC Crvena Zvezda By 3--2 As Manchester United, Newcastle Shown Exit Door

Manchester City Zooms Into The Next Stage Of 2023 / 24 UEFA Champions League, Pipped FC Crvena Zvezda by 3--2 As MAN United, Newcastle Shown Exit Door.

By Olopade Sakiru

Manchester City have qualified for the knock out stage of the 2023/24  UEFA Champions League, pipping Crvena Zvezda by three goals to two at Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade, Serbia.

City who had already secured top spot, finishing the group phase with a maximum of 18 points, paraded fringe team with nine changes to the starting 11 but still escaped unhurt.

Expectedly, in the opening minutes, Manchester City lacked the tenacity, allowing the home side to dictate the pace but as the game progressed, the Pep Gaurdiola's men seized the the initiative and took complete possession.

Manchester born academy product, Micah Hamilton who was making his debut for City, opened scoring in the 19th minute, racing into the space and beat Red star's Aleksander Dragoric on the outside before lashing a shot into the top corner of the net.

Another youngster, Oscar Bobb registered the second goal of the night for City after a weaving run, sliding a low finish inside the far post.

However, Hwang In-beom pulled one back for the home side but Kalvin Phillips gave city a comfortable, scoring from a spot kick after a foul on Micah Hamilton before Aleksander Katai headed a late consolatory goal for Crvena Zvezda.

The Mikel Arteta's men equally booked a place in the knock out stage of the EUFA Champions league, playing a 1--1  draw against PSV Eindhoven while Manchester United and Newcastle were  shown the exit door, with both teams occupying the bottom place of their groups.