Despite a strong performance, Borussia Dortmund had to accept its first defeat in the football Champions League. At group favorite Manchester City with ex-BVB striker Erling Haaland, the “black and yellow” lost 1: 2 (0: 0) on Wednesday (September 14th, 2022). Jude Bellingham scored the Dortmund lead (56th). John Stones (80th) and Haaland (84th) turned the game late.
Dortmund got off to a good start and took space and speed from the favorite “Skyblues” thanks to a massive defensive line with a five-man chain in defense and Jude Bellingham and Salih Özcan in front of them. Manchester had significantly more possession of the ball, but never brought Haaland into play in the center and did not get a dangerous shot towards BVB goalkeeper Alexander Meyer in the first round.
If BVB had used some of their good transition attempts more consistently in the first 45 minutes, a lead would have been possible earlier. But often the last pass in depth or to the very active outside players Giuseppe Reyna and Marco Reus is missing. So it was 0-0 at the break.
Jude Bellingham headed there
Dortmund held their line in the second half and had a huge chance to take the lead shortly after the restart. After Mats Hummels won the ball, it quickly went forward on the left. Raphael Guerreiro sent Marco Reus into the penalty area, who narrowly missed the far post after swinging inside from a tight angle (52′).
A little later the time had come: After a corner kick, the ball came to Reus on the left side of the penalty area. The BVB captain hit the ball hard into the five, where Bellingham cleverly released himself and headed the ball in goal to make it 1-0 (56′).
Guardiola’s changes bring City back
City coach Pep Guardiola reacted promptly and brought on three new attacking players in Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez. As a result, Manchester’s actions got more traction, and the pressing pressure on Dortmund’s build-up game also increased significantly. Haaland fired the first really dangerous shot on goal after 66 minutes when he escaped into the penalty area from the right and just missed the short corner.
From then on, things got more and more precarious for BVB by the minute. Dortmund paid more and more tribute to the high effort of the first hour. In the 80th minute, it was a powerful shot from defender Stones from the right edge of the penalty area that brought City the 1-1 and the favorites back into play.
Erling Haaland with a great air show
City followed suit and then had his Haaland moment when the Norwegian in the penalty area artistically jumped with his leg high above his head and pushed a Cancelo cross to make it 2-1 in the Dortmund goal (84th). The guests fought again, but the last shot by substitute Donyell Malen (90+3) didn’t find its way into the goal.
BVB in the derby against Schalke 04
For Dortmund, the Revierderby against Schalke 04 (3:30 p.m.) takes place in the Bundesliga in the Westfalenstadion on Saturday (September 17th, 2022). Next up in the Champions League is Sevilla on October 5th.