There was nothing to gain for BVB that evening: after a show of force from Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund suffered their first defeat of the season in the Champions League. Phil Foden was the outstanding player in the 4:1 (2:0) win for the “Citizens” with two goals (22nd and 57th minute), but of course Erling Haaland (29th) also scored, as did Rayan Cherki (90th + 1). The Dortmund goal was scored by Waldemar Anton (72′).
BVB has been extremely minimalist in national competitions for several weeks. In the previous three games, coach Niko Kovac’s team only scored one goal – but that was enough for two wins in the Bundesliga and advancement after penalties in the DFB Cup. In the Champions League, Dortmund started no less successfully with seven points, but the goal mood was much higher with four goals in each of the three games.
BVB immediately puts pressure on them – but leaves Foden alone
It was clear in the first minutes of the game in Manchester that this result was very encouraging. The Kovac team immediately stormed off and had 85 percent possession of the ball in the first five minutes, which took place almost entirely in the city half – but it was not dangerous. But Pep Guardiola noticed that he didn’t like Dortmund’s dominance, gave a serious command to his team and they followed their coach.
From then on, the “Citizens” the game and were reminiscent of the times before last season, when Guardiola’s team was one of Europe’s ultimate, perhaps even the ultimate. Foden had the first chance to shoot in the tenth minute, but his free shot from 18 meters was too central and Gregor Kobel raised his fists in time.
But Foden got another opportunity – and at the second attempt he punished Borussia’s negligence, flicking the ball flat into the far corner from 22 meters (22′). The England international, who had not been nominated by Thomas Tuchel a few times recently, had not scored in the Champions League for exactly a year and was going through a personal crisis – against BVB, Foden showed his class and not just because of the goal.
Haaland shows his great qualities
But what actually happened to Haaland’s class? It wasn’t visible for over 26 minutes and the Norwegian goal machine didn’t seem to be in the game. Then Haaland showed all his power, came from midfield and left three Dortmund players standing. Nico O’Reilly was unable to convert his final cross pass from ten meters, but Kobel saved (27′).
But just two minutes later, Haaland showed how to react to such an opportunity. BVB had huge problems, especially with the city wingers Savinho and Jeremy Doku. In this case, the Belgian dribbled his way to the baseline, crossed low into the back of the defense and there stood Haaland, who slammed the ball into the net with tremendous force and great confidence (29′).
This meant the ManCity striker was able to further improve his outstanding goal numbers. Since the start of the season, Haaland has scored 26 goals in 16 games for his club and the Norwegian national team, and it was his fifth goal this Champions League season.
Guirassy in red luck, Adeyemi with good actions
His Dortmund counterpart Serhou Guirassy, top scorer last season with 13 goals, was lucky that the game didn’t end prematurely for him. The BVB striker came too late against Doku in the opponent’s penalty area, raised his foot and pressed his studs into the shin of the “Citizens” right winger (32′). However, the VAR did not ask referee Szymon Marciniak to look at the scene again, so Guirassy only got away with a foul whistle.
After that, BVB had its strongest phase because Karim Adeyemi blossomed. But first Gianluigi Donnarumma was able to fend off the DFB star’s shot after a strong solo effort (39th), then Josko Gvardiol got his foot in the way at the last moment when Adeyemi shot the ball towards the free goal corner after Manchester had resorted to too much of a game in their own penalty area (42nd).
Savinho and Foden are too much for Dortmund
After the break, the City wings were once again too much for Dortmund’s defense – with the exception of Kobel. The Austrian keeper also showed his class against Savinho after his front men were again overwhelmed by the opponent’s speed dribbling (46th). And BVB also had no recourse against Foden’s movements.
The 25-year-old sneaked through the center again, received the ball, placed it perfectly with the first contact and circled it perfectly into the far corner a second time – the 3-0 (57th). “We deservedly lost because we weren’t good enough. We were just way too late for both of Foden’s goals, we have to do better. Everything is punished at this level, we saw that today.”Nico Schlotterbeck was annoyed after the game on “DAZN”.
The score also reflected the balance of power; Dortmund had no chance. A generally bitter evening was looming, the outcome of which now depended on how much Manchester would step on the gas or save energy for the top Premier League game on Sunday against Liverpool FC (5.30 p.m.).
Anton scores, BVB hopes again
But Guardiola’s team didn’t seem to stop, Savinho missed the great chance to make it 4-0, volleyed over (62′) – but then the hosts’ game broke. At the other end, Guirassy had his first great chance, but Donnarumma spread himself wide and parried (65′), shortly afterwards Adeyemi shot just wide from 17 meters (68′).
And then, after a great cross from Julian Ryerson, Anton gave Dortmund a spark of hope when he made it 3-1 with his direct pass (72′). And it almost got even closer, but Ruben Dias was able to block another great opportunity for Adeyemi (76th). After 80 minutes, Donnarumma had to save his sleepy colleagues with two tackles.
Silva makes Dortmund’s defeat even clearer
After BVB’s strong start, Manchester City played an outstanding game for an hour, in which hardly any opponent would have had a chance. Defensively the holes were too big, but the team showed what it was capable of at times. Especially in the last 25 minutes, when Dortmund was able to put the hosts under pressure a few times.
However, it wasn’t enough in the end, Cherki even made it 4-1 (90+1). It was the first Champions League defeat for BVB this season, while Manchester City moved into the top group with ten points. “It didn’t feel good today, even though there were phases in which we were relatively good in the game. Otherwise it wasn’t enough, but four goals conceded is still too many.”said Kobel on “DAZN”.
Before the international break, Dortmund have another away game to try to get the best possible place in the top group of the Bundesliga – on Saturday they go to Hamburger SV (3.30 p.m.). “We are a very good team in the Bundesliga, but we are not yet at the level of Manchester. We want to get there and have to improve so that we can hopefully play games like this differently in the future. Now we are concentrating on HSV. It will be an important game.”said Kovac on “DAZN”.