See, don’t make Manchester City angry. This is what happens when they’re angry. Red Star Belgrade led for a bit. Not long, but a bit.
They actually took the lead on the stroke of half time. Perfect time to score. In theory, anyway. In reality, it gave a frustrated City time to breathe and they quickly released the air from the Serbian balloon.
Last year’s champions began their defence with slight imperfections, missing a hatful of chances and requiring something of a helping hand by a man called Glazer, yet equally it all felt nicely measured.