What Pep Guardiola told Julian Alvarez before coming on for Man City vs RB Leipzig

Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez has admitted that his and Jeremy Doku's introductions in the second half of Tuesday night's 3-2 come-from-behind win over RB Leipzig tipped the balance in City's favour.

A first-half brace from striker Lois Openda fired Leipzig into a 2-0 lead at half-time, putting City's unbeaten record at the Etihad Stadium in 2023 in serious jeopardy. However, a talking-to from boss Pep Guardiola at the interval had the desired impact, with the Blues staging an impressive comeback.

Erling Haaland dragged them back into the contest nine minutes after the restart, just moments after Guardiola had brought on Alvarez and Doku to freshen up his attack. Phil Foden then pulled City level 16 minutes later, before Alvarez scored a late winner to ensure City progressed to the last-16 of the Champions League as Group G winners.

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City turned up the heat after Alvarez and Doku were called upon, and the former believes they both made the impacts Guardiola had hoped for.

"Yes, the game really seemed to change when me and Jeremy came on," Alvarez told City's club website. "We were able to score from the very first play after we came in.

"But from there on we really took control of the game. We were able to play our style of play and create a lot of chances and get the win in such a difficult game."

Explaining what Guardiola asked of him and Doku, Alvarez continued: "He told us to carry on as we were playing. We were playing well up to that point and maybe we could just be a bit more effective. But just to keep playing our game and get those