Erling Haaland says Manchester City need to 'step up' and be more ruthless after scoring winner against RB Leipzig in UEFA Champions League

Erling Haaland told TNT Sports that Manchester City need to "step up" and show more ruthlessness if they want to kill games off in the future after his side beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

Highlights: Haaland bags winner as Man City edge thriller

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Haaland was speaking after scoring the winning goal in a thrilling game in Germany, a match in which City twice surrendered the lead to Leipzig.

A bizarre own goal from Castello Lukeba had put Enzo Maresca's side ahead shortly before half-time, only for Ridle Baku's cross-cum-shot to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma at the near post to level the scores.

City went ahead again thanks to a powerful Enzo Fernandez header, but were pegged back three minutes later with the excellent Antonio Nusa getting his deserved goal.

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But, as he has done so many times before, Haaland saved City's blushes again, bundling home the match-winner from close range in the 78th minute with what was just his 13th touch of the match.

City moved up to seventh in the UEFA Champions League league phase table with the win, but Haaland was critical of his team's inability to put the game to bed after going ahead twice.

"The most important is that I helped the team to win, and I managed to do that today, so I'm super happy," the Norwegian said.

"I think in the end, we need to step up a little bit because I think when we were 1-0 up, I think we need to push forward a bit more to go at it, to go for the second and then hopefully go for the third. That's what we have to do as a club, we have to work on that.

When asked to elaborate on what he would like to see City do differently, Haaland continued: "I think keep the ball, when to keep it, when to go, and working together, both offensively, defensively, loads of different things.

"That's a good part, you can always get better, and there's always a new chance in a new game in three days, so that's lovely."

Haaland's goal against Leipzig was his 13th in nine appearances, his most against any opponent in his career in Europe's big-five leagues, according to Opta.

Despite not being involved in the build-up play, Haaland was unphased about his role in the team after proving to be the match-winner.

”I mean, you can look at it in a few different ways," Haaland said when asked about his lack of touches.

"You can look at it that is difficult to keep concentrated for around 100 minutes, or you can look at it in a positive way that it’s only 100 minutes that you have to fully focus to hopefully be ready when the chance comes. You can look at it in a few different ways, and I look at it in the second option."

‘Absolutely inevitable’ – Haaland haunts Leipizg again as Man City retake lead

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'Strange goal to concede for such a brilliant goalkeeper'

Haaland's winner papered over the cracks of an up-and-down evening for City goalkeeper Donnarumma at the Red Bull Arena.

The Italian pulled out a stunning diving save to tip an effort onto the post, roaring in celebration afterwards.

But he also almost let a Nusa strike slip through his hands into the back of the net and was beaten at his near post by Baku for the opener.

TNT Sports pundits Joleon Lescott and Owen Hargreaves agreed that Baku had not been shooting when his effort zipped into the far corner, insisting that it was a mishit cross which exposed Donnarumma's positioning.

Donnarumma has been in the headlines for some high-profile errors this season, and former City defender Lescott said some of the 27-year-old's behaviour perhaps suggested he is struggling for consistency at the moment.

Donnarumma beaten at near post as Baku levels for Leipzig

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"I think that's a bit telling that he's celebrating like that [after his diving save] and it highlights the lack of confidence he has and understanding the errors," Lescott said. "He's unfortunate [for Leipzig's first goal] because I don’t think he means that.

"In the greatest respect to him, he's probably made the most errors out of the back five. There have been others that have contributed, but I think if he looks at himself - and top players do that - I think he'll look at that tonight, he'll probably feel he should've done better."

Hargreaves concurred, explaining how his position for Baku's goal left him vulnerable.

"I think that's a cross but for every player at the top level, you've got to hope for the best and plan for the worst," Hargreaves said. "He doesn't need to be there, that far off his line.

"Because if he's a yard back, he just picks that up quite easily. It's probably just his positioning, he didn’t get back far enough to his goal.

"But a strange goal to concede for such a brilliant goalkeeper."

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