Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 4-1 and advanced to the top eight of the Champions League.
City manager Pep Guardiola explains what the next game will look like. Dortmund are huge in the race for a place in the knockout stages as they look to secure a top eight spot and avoid having to play an extra game in the play-off rounds.
Last season’s play-off round ended the competition at the hands of Real Madrid, but City are trying to avoid that this season after Phil Foden’s double, Erling Haaland’s 18th goal of the season and a late goal from substitute Rayan Cherki handed Dortmund their second defeat of the season.
Erling Haaland celebrates with Foden after scoring against his former club
Haaland’s outstanding form was the talk of the town against his former club, but it was Foden who grabbed the headlines as City beat the Bundesliga side at the Etihad Stadium.
The 25-year-old firmly strengthened his case for an England recall with two beautiful finishes either side of another effort from Haaland to firmly establish himself in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad for next week’s final World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Foden’s two finishes were excellent. He is back to his best.
As always, Haaland slotted home Jeremy Doku’s cross to take his tally to 27 goals in 17 appearances for club and country this season and his overall Champions League tally to 54 in 52 games.
Dortmund briefly bounced back with a 3-1 lead when Anton headed in Julian Ryerson’s cross from a set-piece, but City finished strongly and Rayan Cerki added a fourth goal in the second half to take Guardiola’s win to 10 points after four league games. Place them on the course so they can comfortably progress to the knockout stages.
Guardiola: Winning puts us in a good position
manchester city head coach Pep Guardiola On TNT Sports:
“For the first 10 or 15 minutes we didn’t know where we were, but after that it got better.
“We had a bad 10 minutes and the next 10 or 15 minutes after we conceded weren’t good because they pushed and put five, six or seven players up front, but after putting five at the back we were able to get there better and we finished the game with a good goal.
“I have great respect for these players and we are in a good position. If we can get one or two more wins we will probably be very close to being in the first eight.”
‘Playing like that will give City a boost.’
Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills to soccer specials:
“Foden’s two finishes were sublime. He was back to his best.
“It was a very professional performance from Manchester City.
“If they can continue in that vein and bring Rodri back into the team, it would be a huge boost for them.
“There are still one or two things missing, but Guardiola’s team showed great confidence.”
