In an electrifying first half at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City found themselves trailing 1-3 against a determined Celtic Glasgow side. The match kicked off with City showcasing their usual dominance in possession, but it was Celtic who struck first, taking advantage of early opportunities.

Early Goals and City’s Response

In the 14th minute, Celtic capitalized on a defensive lapse from City. A swift counter-attack saw Matt O’Riley deliver a precise pass to Nicholas Kuhn, who slotted the ball past Ederson to give the visitors an early lead, making it 0-1. The goal seemed to momentarily unsettle Manchester City, who struggled to find their rhythm.

City’s Equalizer

Despite the early setback, Manchester City showcased their resilience. In the 33rd minute, Oscar Bobb orchestrated a brilliant attacking move, threading a through ball to Nathaniel O’Reilly. The young Englishman made no mistake, calmly finishing to bring City back into the game at 1-1.

Celtic’s Quick Response

However, Celtic were not content with sitting back. Just three minutes later, in the 36th minute, they regained their lead. A well-executed set-piece saw Reo Hatate deliver a perfect cross to Kuhn, who headed in from close range, making it 1-2 and leaving the City defense in disarray.

Celtic Extends Their Lead

Celtic continued to press high and were rewarded again just before halftime. In the 44th minute, a quick breakaway found City’s defense outnumbered once more. Kuhn, a constant threat throughout the half, provided a precise pass to Kyogo Furuhashi, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner, extending Celtic’s lead to 1-3.

Key Moments and Analysis

• Celtic’s High Press: Celtic’s aggressive pressing disrupted City’s buildup play, forcing errors and creating opportunities on the break.
• City’s Defensive Woes: Defensive lapses and miscommunication were evident in City’s backline, contributing to Celtic’s goals.
• Midfield Battle: The midfield contest was intense, with Celtic’s midfielders effectively neutralizing City’s creative threats for large portions of the half.

Looking Ahead

As the teams headed into the break, Pep Guardiola undoubtedly faced the challenge of rallying his troops and addressing the defensive frailties that Celtic exploited so effectively. City’s attacking prowess remains a constant threat, and the second half promises to be a compelling contest as they look to overturn the deficit.