Manchester City gets Champions League defense off to winning start by beating Red Star Belgrade 3-1
Manchester City's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Champions League group G soccer match between Manchester City and Red Star Belgrade in Manchester, England, Tuesday Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dave Thompson]
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Julian Alvarez has scored twice and Manchester City beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 to get its Champions League title defense off to a winning start. The Argentina forward sparked a second-half comeback from Pep Guardiola’s team after Osman Bukari had fired the visitors into a shock lead at Etihad Stadium. Rodri’s goal against Inter Milan in last season’s final saw City crowned European champions for the first time and he added a third late on. City is aiming to become only the second club to successfully retain the trophy in the Champions League era. Real Madrid is only team to win back-to-back titles having completed a three-peat from 2016-18.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Manchester City's Julian Alvarez gets past Red Star's goalkeeper Omri Glazer to score his side's first goal during the Champions League group G soccer match between Manchester City and Red Star Belgrade in Manchester, England, Tuesday Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dave Thompson