After a robust begin, Borussia struggled to get a foothold within the recreation and include their opponents for a lot of the primary half, and had Gregor Kobel to thank for protecting the rating at not more than 2-0 at half-time, with Foden (22) and Haaland (29) scoring the objectives. Foden then made it 3-0 simply earlier than the hour mark. BVB additionally had probabilities – each earlier than and after the break. Anton lowered the deficit to 3-1 within the 72nd minute. Adeyemi didn’t capitalise on three massive probabilities to attain. Cherki put the ultimate nail within the coffin in added time, bringing the ultimate rating to 4-1 in favour of Manchester Metropolis.
State of affairs:
The journey to Manchester on Matchday 4 was BVB’s third away recreation within the competitors. The Black & Yellows travelled to the North-West of England in sixth place with seven factors. Metropolis have been one place behind in seventh resulting from a marginal purpose distinction in BVB’s favour. Borussia had beforehand performed thrice on the Etihad Stadium, scoring in every recreation however solely taking residence factors as soon as – in 2012 (1-1, 2-1, 2-1).
Personnel issues:Julian Brandt (muscle issues) and Niklas Süle (injured toe) have been absent. 5 days after the 1-0 win in Augsburg, Niko Kovac introduced in Nico Schlotterbeck, Julian Ryerson, Marcel Sabitzer, Daniel Svensson and Karim Adeyemi to exchange Aaron Anselmino, Yan Couto, Pascal Gross, Carney Chukwuemeka (all of whom dropped to the bench) in addition to Brandt within the beginning XI. It was a really related staff to the one which performed out a spectacular 4-4 draw away to Juventus on Mathday 1 (solely Schlotterbeck changed Couto). Kovac: ”We do not need to disguise.”
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Ways:
BVB performed of their standard 3-4-2-1 formation and tried to play excessive up the pitch and defend as a unit. The Black & Yellows appeared to shut down house within the centre specifically towards an opponent who switched rapidly and cleanly in a 4-3-3 system with just one defensive midfielder and 5 attacking gamers. Svensson usually moved into central midfield when in possession, with Bensebaini and Beier then enjoying on the left.
The match & evaluation:Borussia got here to play – and initially carried out effectively. The Black and Yellows had 57% possession within the first ten minutes, with quite a few makes an attempt on purpose, primarily by Adeyemi. However Metropolis had the primary likelihood: Foden examined Kobel with a robust shot from 19 metres out (10).
After that, the steadiness shifted. Metropolis took the initiative. Ryerson was required to intervene and stop Haaland from getting a shot off within the twenty first minute. The Black & Yellows had dealt effectively with Metropolis’s excessive tempo and technical class within the opening levels, however quickly gaps began rising. That is what occurred on an assault by the hosts down the correct wing: Reijnders was put underneath no stress after receiving a cross and had time to select Foden. The England worldwide had loads of house, reduce inside and positioned the ball exactly into the left nook from distance to make it 1-0.
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Borussia had no management over the sport at this stage — nor over their opponents. Haaland obtained the ball simply behind the centre circle, then drove ahead by 4 Dortmund gamers earlier than enjoying a sq. cross to O’Reilly, who shot first time along with his left foot from the penalty spot solely to be denied by a superb save from Kobel (28). One minute later, Doku broke by on the left wing and crossed sharply into the field from virtually the byline. Haaland drilled the supply into the web to make it 2-0 (2’). Kobel made one other excellent save shortly afterwards, this time to disclaim Nunes (33).
When the English facet took their foot off the fuel slightly, a solo effort from Adeyemi virtually led to a purpose, however Donnarumma was well-placed to disclaim him (39). Gvardiol then blocked Adeyemi’s shot from a central place after a cross from Guirassy (41). With the hosts having 11 pictures on purpose to their opponents’ 4, they went into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead.
The second half started with one other Kobel save, as he reacted rapidly to dam Savinho’s shot (46). An unpunished foul by Savinho, who hit Ramy Bensebaini within the face along with his arm on the touchline, inflicting the Borussia participant to lose the ball, was the precursor to the third purpose, which might have been prevented. However as soon as once more, the Black & Yellows have been unable to maintain management in entrance of their very own penalty space, as Metropolis handed the ball round and probed for a gap. The ball ended up with Foden, who made it 3-0 with a well-placed shot from 18 metres out (57). Down the opposite finish, Donnarumma made a robust cease to disclaim the hard-working Serhou Guirassy. BVB might have scored a purpose or two themselves, however Metropolis would possibly effectively have added to their tally as effectively.
Kovac reacted – most likely with Saturday’s match towards Hamburg and a seventh recreation in 22 days in thoughts – with a quadruple substitution. Gross, Can, Chukwuemeka and Bellingham got here on for Sabitzer, Bensebaini, Beier and Guirassy, because the staff switched to a 5-3-2 formation. After a rapidly taken free kick from Gross, Ryerson had loads of house on the correct wing. Anton bumped into the world and bought on the tip of the cross to make it 3-1 (72). Adeyemi’s shot by Stones’ legs virtually made it 3-2, however the ball slipped away for a nook (76).
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Regardless of being behind, the staff confirmed perception and saved pushing ahead. There have been turbulent scenes in and across the Manchester penalty space. However there was additionally one in entrance of the Dortmund purpose. Fabio Silva could not management Can’s cross, Cherki intervened, after which his shot was deflected into the again of the web, leaving Kobel with no likelihood, to carry the rating to 4-1.
Outlook:The subsequent opponents within the Champions League are Villarreal on 25 November. Earlier than that, Dortmund journey to Hamburg within the league this Saturday. Fourteen days later, after the worldwide break, VfB Stuttgart will go to SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.
Boris Rupert
UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 20:00 CET (native time)
MANCHESTER CITY 4–1 (2-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND