At least Erling Haaland didn’t cheer. After his almost obligatory goal this season – this time against his old love Borussia Dortmund – the Manchester City striker ran to the corner flag, of all places in front of the visitors’ corner. But he refrained from excessive celebrations. Maybe he just approached the Dortmund fans on Wednesday evening to show them a special gem: his bright yellow captain’s armband. For the second time, Pep Guardiola appointed the striker, who moved from Dortmund to Manchester in 2022, captain. Haaland made his debut in this role in the home league win against Newcastle in February; at that time he remained goalless. His goal against BVB was his first goal as captain.
Haaland’s goal to make it 2-0 in the 29th minute paved the way for City to secure a 4-1 (2-0) win against Dortmund. Seven minutes earlier, double goalscorer Phil Foden (22nd/57th) had taken the lead with a precise shot into the corner. BVB, on the other hand, hardly created any compelling chances to score. Only after a quadruple substitution in the 67th minute did Niko Kovac’s overall disappointing team develop more danger and score through defender Waldemar Anton. Until then, the approaches seemed so unambitious, as if they had already reached the round of 16 of the Champions League. In fact, the direct jump into this round is now at risk.
The game felt “not good,” said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel afterwards on the Dazn streaming service: “But I think four goals in the end are too many. It’s a shame. But at times it just wasn’t good enough.” Defender Nico Schlotterbeck said: “We deservedly lost. At this level, I keep saying this, everything is punished.”
Even before kick-off, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had his hands full – eight footballs had to be removed from his penalty area. The ball children could be forgiven for the disorder: the stadium was darkened before the teams arrived, and City surprised everyone with a light show. The event read on the monitors: “Bonfire Night.” Every year on November 5th, the British celebrate a failed attempt on the king in the 17th century. However, the game did not develop very colorfully for BVB. Not much had been expected against the English series winners, given their less than spectacular offensive performances so far. Above all, the stable defense gave hope – only six goals conceded in nine league games. But the performance, even in the duels, was just as passive as Borussia’s recent first half in Munich.
Kovac was correspondingly dissatisfied – he demonstratively sent his team back to the pitch early during the break. Also because City conserved their energy after the third goal, BVB was able to make the game increasingly even. The team at least showed morale again and pushed to catch up – but remained too indecisive to make the game exciting again. Instead, substitute Rayan Cherki scored the final score in stoppage time.
Guardiola was able to give the much-stressed Haaland a short break in the final minutes before Sunday’s top game against Liverpool. City’s striker left the pitch to the applause of the home fans – and handed the captain’s armband to Rúben Dias.
