Man City vs Red Star Belgrade LIVE: Champions League result as Julian Alvarez hits double in comeback win

It was neither Rodri’s most significant Champions League goal of 2023 nor his most important strike of the season. And yet, as Manchester City began their defence of their continental crown, perhaps it was fitting that it was capped by a finish from the man who delivered the strike that secured their holy grail.

The scourge of Internazionale in Istanbul, Rodri finished off Red Star Belgrade in Manchester. He did so in style, too, exchanging passers with Phil Foden, embarking on a solo run and placing a shot in. It was an indication that the defensive midfielder, the man who has always amassed passes, has now started to trade in goals as well: four in nine games, going back to the Champions League final.

If some – April’s opener against Bayern Munich, the decider against Inter, the recent winner at Sheffield United – are signs of stature, of the capacity to seize the initiative, there is also evidence of a more attacking bent. If Rodri is getting forward more, it may be because he is finding his duties at the base of the midfield too easy. Or perhaps because, without Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, he recognises the need to compensate for the absence of two talismanic figures and has the ability to do so.

90+4 mins: There goes the final whistle. Manchester City come from behind to defeat Red Star Belgrade in their opening Champions League group stage clash.

Pep Guardiola would have been frustrated after an opening 45 minutes that saw City waste chances and go behind but they rallied wonderfully in the second half and put the result beyond doubt.

90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play at the Etihad Stadium. Can Erling Haaland get himself a goal?

88 mins: Doku switches the ball over to Rico Lewis on the right wing and he flies forward before underhitting a pass to Oscar Bobb and giving the ball away.

85 mins: City win a corner that is swung onto the head of Nathan Ake who nods another effort at goal. This one is sent straight at the goalkeeper who plucks the ball safely out of the air.

82 mins: Pep Guardiola makes a few changes now. Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb and Kalvin Phillips come on to replace Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and Rodri.

Less than 10 minutes to play and City are cruising to victory.

79 mins: Jeremy Doku has been moved out onto the left side where he played when he faced West Ham in the Premier League. He’s a direct runner and likes taking players on.

A shuffle of the feet and a shot at goal results in his effort being blocked inside the penalty but that won’t discourage him from another go if he gets the opportunity.

76 mins: Man City will now try to run up the score. They’ve gone through the gears in the second half, through necessity after Red Star scored first.

The match is done now and City will take all three points. The icing on the cake will be a goal for Erling Haaland.

73 mins: He’s looked hungry to score all night and now has his goal. Manchester City’s Rodri receives the ball just outside the penalty area and isn’t closed down by the Red Star defence.

Instead they drop off him and allow Rodri to bring the ball into the box. He coolly guides the ball into the far bottom corner unopposed and City have their third.