Phil Foden Shines As Manchester City Beat Borussia Dortmund

 

Manchester City produced a commanding Champions League performance at the Etihad Stadium, sweeping aside Borussia Dortmund in a 4–1 defeat. 

City returned to their pitch for another victory after winning their previous two in the Premier League. Dortmund found the turf a challenge, despite an impressive start, particularly from Karim Adeyemi. All that was soon quelled as City took turns to thrash the Germans. 

Phil Foden set the Citizens ahead as the side found the back of the net twice within seven minutes. The winger received a pass from Reijnders in front of the box and struck a curler down the bottom right of the goal. As the hosts mount pressure on the Germans, Jeremy Doku darted down the left wing and cut back the ball into the six-yard box, which landed right for Haaland to blast into the net. 

Dortmund quickly conceded the third goal as Reijners' pass set up Foden for another strike inside the six-yard box. The winger rifled a left-footed shot into the net. Dortmund finally found a response in the 72nd minute. A quick free-kick routine saw Julian Ryerson send a low cross into the box, where defender Waldemar Anton arrived to turn the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

Bernando Silva, who came in as a substitute, slipped a perfectly timed pass into Cherki, who glided into the box before firing a low-cut shot into the corner in stoppage time to complete the rout. The Portuguese midfielder was making his 100th Champions League appearance, and played a crucial role in the game within his short spell.   

Overview 

Manchester City were the dominant side for the initial stages of the first half. The margin could have been wider as the Germans lost guard of their box. The hosts built up the pressure from the centre and cracked the Germans' wall of defense. Earlier, Haaland had assisted O'Reilly with a goal attempt that forced a save from Gregor Kobel instead. 

City ended the first half with 11 chances created, seven on target, and near-total control. Dortmund, by contrast, mustered just one shot on goal before the break. Though for a brief spell, Dortmund pressed higher and looked livelier, but City’s composure never truly wavered.

Anton's goal was just complementary to the Germans, as City dominated. regardless, in the second half. The hosts already had the game in the bag before the interval with an emphatic dominance.