Erling Haaland did not restrain himself against his former club. The Manchester City forward had scored the goal in a convincing 4 goals to 1 game against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday but it was Phil Foden that stole the show with two brilliant goals in the Etihad stadium.
The match moved City up to the fourth in the Champions league league-phase table with 10 points after four matches and Dortmund to the 14 th with seven.
City being the champions league champions in 2023 was on the offensive since the first whistle. Their thrust was swift, the thrust steady, and Dortmund also found it hard to keep up. Pep Guardiola could not conceal his happiness at the time.
I really like much of what I see, Guardiola said. At this point, we are improved compared to last season. Massive complement to the players – we are well placed.
It was a breakthrough in the 22 nd minute. England midfielder Phil Foden took a precise pass by the Dutchman, Tijjani Reijnders, on the verge of the penalty area and a sharp left-foot shot past the Dortmund goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel. Haaland scored another seven minutes later to increase the lead of City. Jeremy Doku tore down the flank and lobbed a ball directly into the middle of the box, where Haaland loosely flicked it home with the calmness that has become a norm to him. In 17 club and international matches, the Norwegian now has an unbelievable 27 goals.
Foden wasn’t done. He scored his second goal in the 57 th minute, again scoring stylishly following another brilliant setting up by Reijnders. It was the first occasion that Foden has scored twice in a champions league match, and Guardiola did not fail to show how he is increasingly getting influential.
It is better than Erling, I said to myself, Happy, said Guardiola. “Phil was fantastic.”
Dortmund did experience some elation though when Waldemar Anton scored after a free kick in the 72 nd minute, and made their home fans cheer. But City responded late. Rayan Cherki scored the night with a late goal in the stoppage time, dribbling two defenders and scoring a shot after the other one was deflected to complete the match with 4 goals on each side.
City dominated almost all the stages of the game, and the number of shots on target was nine against one by Dortmund. Doku and Savinho were constantly pushing the backline and creating spaces where midfielders dictated the play. Savinho also made a chance to score his goal with a slamming volley that was only a little higher than the bar.
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac confessed that his team could not defend any longer.
They had a very clean form of football and they should have won, he said.
It was also another milestone of Haaland that night. He set the record of the first player to score five consecutive games in the Champions League on three different teams Salzburg, Dortmund, and City.
Doku said Erling is unbelievable in terms of numbers. But he does not just provide us with goals.
Night after night of quality and control saw City again prove why they are one of the most dangerous teams in Europe.
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