Manchester City held by Leipzig in UCL

Premier League clubs continue to struggle in the Champions League as Manchester City is held to a draw by RB Leipzig

City players observe lap of honor after being held to a 1-1 draw away at the Red Bull Arena. (Photo credit: UCL)

Premier League clubs continue to struggle in the Champions League after Manchester City failed to win on Wednesday away to RB Leipzig despite leading for a significant period of the game.

The Champions League is the club's top priority, and they will go to any length to win it.

But their knockout round started off on a poor note as they were held to a 1-1 draw that would set up a frenetic second-leg encounter in a fortnight at the Etihad.

Riyad Mahrez fired the visitors in front just before the half-hour mark off a technical layoff by captain Ilkay Gundogan.

The Algerian is in top form and also had another chance to make it 2-0 but fired wide with the keeper beaten in the second half.

Josko Gvardiol levelled things for the hosts with 20 minutes left on the clock, and the visitors couldn’t fashion out chances to punish the hosts. 

The second leg at the Etihad will give City the chance to make amends, and the coach, Pep Guardiola, can’t wait.

"They were heads down," said Guardiola.

"I said 'why are your heads down, be heads up, it was really good the way you play.' If people don't like it it doesn't matter.

"The game was really good. We played how we should play. In general, we don't have the team to compete in transitions, they are faster and quicker. We don't have the pace. We had control in the first half, set pieces were close. We have a game in Manchester and we'll see who wins."

Manchester City were without Kevin De Bruyne for the first leg following illness, and he will be seeking to be fit enough for the all important second leg.

Tottenham lost at Milan and would hope to overturn it in the second leg.

Chelsea lost at Dortmund, and Liverpool was humiliated by Real Madrid at Anfield.