Guardiola delighted with Alvarez’s huge impact

Holders Manchester City struck twice in the final minutes through Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku to beat hosts RB Leipzig 3-1 on Wednesday and rebound from successive domestic defeats to take control of Champions League Group G with maximum points.

Alvarez curled his shot from the edge of the box into the top corner in the 84th minute and then set up Doku in stoppage time for their third goal as City, who had lost to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup before their league loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, moved up to six points from two games in top spot.

Coach Pep Guardiola hailed the huge impact from Julian Alvarez.

The City boss said he has no doubts about his quality after playing his part in last season's treble as well as helping Argentina to the World Cup in a remarkable individual season.

But with the good form of John Stones, Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne and former captain Ilkay Gundogan in midfield last season, Alvarez has been patient for his opportunity.

And he has been in outstanding form this season with five goals and four assists already and made a big contribution as a 79th minute substitute in Germany.

"When a player is a world champion with Argentina and plays in the starting XI for Argentina, it's because he is a good player," Guardiola said.
"Last season he arrived in a moment when we had John, Rodri, Kevin, Gundo and it was working well and he didn't get many minutes but he never complained and look what happened now.

"When you have this positivity and go there, make three runs, two or three crosses, make an outstanding goal again - it's not the first time he scored this type of goal.

"In 10, 15 minutes the impact was huge. To have these players on the bench with this mentality is really important."