Champions League holders had to come from behind but a classy second-half display with Julian Alvarez's brace and Rodrigo's strike and earned the win against the Serbian champions on Tuesday night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Red Star initially took the lead on the brink of half-time when Osman Bukari\u2019s goal was awarded following a VAR check for offside. Erling Haaland headed against the crossbar and visiting goalkeeper Omri Glazer made a string of saves before Bukari ran through to beat Ederson for a shock lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Alvarez had City on level terms just 73 seconds into the second period before his free-kick on the hour \u2013 intended more as a cross than a shot \u2013 beat everyone and completed the turnaround. Then, Rodrigo, who scored the winner in June's final, made the game safe with a cultured finish in the 73rd minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
City have now gone 27 Champions League home games since their last Etihad defeat \u2013 a run stretching all the way back to September 2018.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Notably, Glazer made 13 saves, the first time a goalkeeper has made ten or more saves in a Champions League match since Kamil Grabara for Copenhagen in October 2022, also against Manchester City.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2023\/09\/champions-league-manchester-city-begins-title-defence-with-3-1-comeback-win-over-red-star.jpeg", "alt_img": "Champions League: Manchester City begins title defence with 3-1 comeback win over Red Star", "alt_title": "Champions League: Manchester City begins title defence with comeback 3-1 win over Red Star", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Champions League: Manchester City Begins Title Defence With 3-1 Comeback Win Over Red Star On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Champions League: Manchester City Begins Title Defence With 3-1 Comeback Win Over Red Star, UEFA Champions League: Manchester City began the defence of our UEFA Champions League trophy with a 3-1 victory over Serbian.", "seo_keywords": "Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Red Star Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, Etihad Stadium, Champions League, Julian Alvarez, Red Star, Osman Bukari, Erling Haaland, Omri Glazer, Kamil Grabara", "tag": "", "tagging": "Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Red Star Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, Etihad Stadium, Champions League, Julian Alvarez, Red Star, Osman Bukari, Erling Haaland, Omri Glazer, Kamil Grabara", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "champions-league-manchester-city-begins-title-defence-with-3-1-comeback-win-over-red-star", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "627", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2023-09-20 12:28:02", "updated": "2023-09-20 12:28:02", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Red Star Belgrade, Crvena Zvezda, Etihad Stadium, Champions League, Julian Alvarez, Red Star, Osman Bukari, Erling Haaland, Omri Glazer, Kamil Grabara", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2023-09-20 12:28:02", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "795581", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/champions-league-manchester-city-begins-title-defence-with-3-1-comeback-win-over-red-star-8651" }