Manchester City 7-0 RB Leipzig (Man City win 8-1 on aggregate): What have we learned as Erling Haaland and Man City make Champions League history at the Etihad?

Although some may have thought Manchester City could face a potential Champions League banana peel on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola's side clinched their ticket to the quarter-finals with a remarkable 7-0 against RB Leipzig.

While the Premier League giants could have been forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their first leg showdown in Germany on February 22, City have certainly escaped the traps here.

With Erling Haaland's record scoring hat-trick in the first half as Guardiola's side took a 3-0 lead in the interval, City really haven't taken a back seat to it. the accelerator.

With City's latest attacking superstar helping himself to another brace after returning from half-time, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne also put the icing on what was a famous performance.

Making what was a major statement that would have been seen across Europe, Man City also demonstrated why they are considered a top contender to get their hands on a first Champions League crown.< /p>

Although Leipzig may have impressed many last month as they hit a first-leg stalemate in Germany, the Bundesliga title contenders have come down to earth here.

Completely dominated on a night when Manchester City were at their best, what did we learn from Tuesday's showdown at the Etihad?

2023 could be the year City claim a first Champions League crown

Although Manchester City may have been disappointed after leaving Germany without a first leg advantage, Guardiola's men scored a major Champions League scorer here.

While the Sky Blues may have been heartbroken in Madrid last year as they suffered that remarkable semi-final start at the hands of eventual winner Real Madrid, City are once again considered an outstanding candidate in 2023.

With Gardiola failing to win Europe's most coveted award since moving to Barcelona in 2011, the Premier League giants certainly sent out a real statement of intent on Tuesday night.

Ultimately, moving past Leipzig and clinching their ticket to the quarter-finals without breaking a sweat, Guardiola will call on his superstar squad to use this performance as a platform to build on.

While City could still find themselves five points behind Arsenal in the race to defend their Premier League crown this season, Guardiola has made it clear that Champions League success is crucial.

Publicly stating that his tenure at the Etihad would not be complete unless he was able to guide City to a first Champions League crown, it certainly feels like this could finally be their year .

Haaland can single-handedly lead City to European success

While Haaland may have had a somewhat low-key start to 2023, the Norwegian superstar has been breaking a string of records since joining Manchester City last summer.

While there were concerns earlier in the year that Guardiola was not getting the most out of the former Borussia Dortmund striker, Haaland underscored his position as one of the most clinical number nines in the game. Europe.

Scoring more Etihad history on Tuesday night and netting a remarkable first-half hat-trick, Haaland has now netted 32 goals in just 25 Champions League appearances.

As well as having already recorded five hat-tricks since joining the Etihad last summer, the 22-year-old has also become the fastest and youngest player in League history champions to reach the 30-goal mark.

With City's hierarchy making it clear that Haaland was brought to Manchester in a bid to help the English champions secure a first European crown, the 23-cap international undoubtedly has a role to play crucial to play.

Finally ending Tuesday's showdown at the Etihad with five goals to his name and taking the Golden Boot lead, he also became the third player in Champions League history to do so .

Leipzig crumbles under bright lights

By delivering what was a hugely impressive second-half performance at the Red Bull Arena last month by winning a 1-1 first-leg draw, RB Leipzig proved they could cause a lot of problems at City.

However, while Marco Rose's side may have traveled to the Etihad on Tuesday night hoping to cause what would have been a major Champions League upset, the German side will know that she will face a real backlash when she returns home.

While the former Borussia Dortmund boss was able to call on attacking talisman Christopher Nkunku here, that doesn't excuse what has been a remarkable capitulation on foreign soil.

Thoroughly blown away in Manchester and ultimately walked away with their heaviest defeat in the Champions League, the Red Bulls will be delighted to see the Etihad back.

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