It was a dead-rubber game between Manchester City and Crvena Zvezda; it did not really matter who won or lost. Manchester City was always going to finish Group G with the highest number of points, while Crvena Zvezda was going to finish with the least number of points.
Hence, due to the minimal intensity of the Crvena Zvezda vs Manchester City fixture and the injuries which have struck some first-team players, Pep Guardiola fielded the young Micah Hamilton and others who shined brightly during the game
Micah Hamilton shines on UCL debut
Pep Guardiola completely rotated his side against Crvena-Zvezda but it was still a comfortable win for them. Micah Hamilton, a former ball boy, and another young talent, Oscar Bobb, were on target as the rotated Manchester City side secured a 3-2 victory over Crvena-Zvezda, concluding their Champions League group stage campaign.
Kalvin Phillips contributed to the scoresheet as well, converting a late penalty for Manchester City in their 3-2 win over Crvena-Zvezda. The victory came in a rotated squad managed by Pep Guardiola in the Group G dead rubber match at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
One of the highlights of the game was the debutants’ goals as Micah Hamilton, a product of Manchester City’s academy and Oscar Bobb, a Norwegian player who filled in for Erling Haaland, added the second goal in the 62nd minute for Manchester City.
Hamilton almost set up another goal, delivering a dangerous low ball from the right, but Bobb couldn’t make contact at the far post. Phillips, in a rare start, also had a shot that went wide. Hamilton had another close chance early in the second half, curling a low effort just wide, but City relied on goalkeeper Ortega to keep them level.
Hwang In-beom scored to pull one back for Crvena-Zvezda, but Kalvin Phillips extended Manchester City’s lead with his first goal for the club after a foul on Hamilton. Aleksandar Katai scored a late consolation goal for the home team.
Manchester City’s unbeaten streak still intact in UCL
Crvena Zvezda vs. Manchester City was City’s sixth game in the Champions League since winning it last season, and they have maintained an impeccable record since then. In those six games, City have been unbeaten, and now they progress into the knockout stages with maintaining top stop in their group.
There were initial concerns as Pep Guardiola could not field his preferred starters but the youngsters who took over delivered a great victory to keep Manchester City’s unbeaten record intact. City finished Group G with an astonishing 18 points, while their opponent finished at the very bottom of the table.
The Champions League will resume in February 2024, where City will hope to keep the unbeaten flag flying and perhaps proceed to winning the Champions League for the second time in a row.
