Manchester City wrapped up UEFA Champions League group play with another win on Wednesday — their sixth in six games — despite fielding a side featuring only a handful of first-team regulars.
[ MORE: UEFA Champions League group stage tables in full ]
John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic were joined by the likes of 20-year-olds Oscar Bobb and Micah Halmiton — goalscorers in the 3-2 victory away to Red Star Belgrade — as Pep Guardiola rotated heavily and handed Kalvin Phillips, scorer of the other goal on the night, a rare start.
Hamilton opened the scoring with a well-placed finish in the 19th minute, and Bobb dribbled past two defenders before slotting home through traffic to make it 2-0 just after the hour mark. Both youngsters from the academy ranks recorded a first senior goal for Manchester City.
[ MORE: Champions League schedule, scores ]
Red Star hit back and made it close late, as Hwang In-Boem hammered a left-footed finish past backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in the 76th minute. Phillips converted from the penalty spot in the 85th, before Hwang assisted Aleksandar Katai for Red Star’s second in stoppage time.
Man City will be one of eight seeded sides during next Monday’s draw for the Champions League knockout rounds.
Player ratings - Red Star Belgrade vs Manchester City
Red Star Belgrade vs Manchester City, final score: 2-3
Goalscorers: Micah Hamilton (19'), Oscar Bobb (62'), Hwang In-Boem (76'), Kalvin Phillips (85' - PK), Aleksandar Katai (90'+1)
19th minute - GOAL - Micah Hamilton marks his senior debut with a fine finish
Micah Hamilton gets a goal on his first ever senior start for Manchester City.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 13, 2023
A fairytale night for the 20 year old academy graduate. 💫 pic.twitter.com/xicwT5H0ow
62nd minute - GOAL - Oscar Bobb weaves through traffic and finishes masterfully for 2-0
The kids are alright. 💥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 13, 2023
It's Oscar Bobb's turn to get a first senior goal this time! pic.twitter.com/iqe8pFZE94
76th minute - GOAL - Hwang In-Boem smashes home a lifeline for Red Star
85th minute - GOAL - Kalvin Phillips converts from the penalty spot
How to watch Red Star Belgrade vs Manchester City live, stream, start time live updates
Date: Wednesday, December 13
Kick off: 12:45pm ET
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Manchester City starting lineup
Oretga — Lewis, Stone, Akanji, Gomez — Phillips, Kovacic — Hamilton, Nunes, Grealish, Bobb
Red Star Belgrade starting lineup
Glazer — Nedeljkovic, Djiga, Spajic, Dragovic — Mijailovic, Kanga, Hwang — Bukari, Ndiaye, Olayinka
Red Star Belgrade focus, team news
The reigning Serbian champs are locked in a heated battle with bitter rivals Partizan atop the Serbian SuperLiga, as both teams have 43 points. Winning against Man City would be a monumental achievement and it’s possible given how little City have riding on this game. Red Star’s Ghanian winger Osman Bukari scored at Man City in the return game and will be a key player on the counter.
Manchester City focus, team news
City will be without several key players for this clash with Erling Haaland joining Kevin de Bruyne on the sidelines as the Norwegian superstar is hoping to recover from his ankle injury in time to head to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup. Winger Jeremy Doku has also taken a knock and is a doubt for this game. It is very likely that Guardiola plays youngsters Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb, while Sergio Gomez, Matheus Nunes, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega are all expected to be handed starts.