Thanks to two strokes of genius from Stones and Haaland, Manchester City won with difficulty against Dortmund (2-1) on the second day of the Champions League. Tops and flops.
TOPS
Haaland’s realism
It is during this type of meeting that the great attackers show themselves. And Erling Haaland is one. The Norwegian remained invisible for more than an hour. But Bellingham’s opener woke up City and their number 9. Pep Guardiola’s men began to push more and more like Erling Haaland. De Bruyne launches the Norwegian perfectly into the back of the defense and takes his chance from a tight angle. It’s on the outside post (67th). After the equalization of Stones (80th), Haaland will turn into a savior. Invisible until then, Haaland scored one of the best goals of the year! Cancelo, left side, addresses a magnificent cross from the outside of the foot. And Haaland is there to cut it with a Zlatan Ibrahimovic-style scissor. The Norwegian has done the job and allows his team to bring back the three points.
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The pair Sule-Hummels very solid
This is the nice surprise on the German side! The German defensive pair contained Erling Haaland and City’s offensives for more than an hour. Indeed, Hummels made some superb interventions. Then led, City is extremely dangerous. Phil Foden is launched on the left side and sends a splendid center on the ground to Haaland but Hummels tackles to remove the ball and saves his people (71st). The defensive duo can not do anything on the cannonball of Stones (80th) but are at fault on the winning goal of Haaland (84th). As a reminder, Hummels had been preferred to young Nico Schlotterbeck in central defense. A choice that pays off overall for Edin Terzic.
FLOPS
Modest non-existent offensively
Aligned at the forefront of Dortmund’s attack, the Frenchman had almost no ball to play. But the system with 5 defenders of his did not really help him. He respected the instructions of coach Edin Terzic and brought a lot of defensive work. Unfortunately, offensively the striker was invisible throughout the game and often lacked precision. A game to forget for the Frenchman. He was replaced by Nico Schlotterbeck, a defender. It was only his second match in the Champions League.
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A sad first half
If the second period was prolific in goal, the first was a total boredom. Manchester City’s sterile possession plunged the meeting into a false rhythm where no team took any risks. No occasion was to report during this match yet so enticing when you see the poster. The fans, who weren’t expecting such a first half, even started whistling in the 30th minute. Pep Guardiola also expressed some annoyance when he saw his team unable to be dangerous. Fortunately for the spectators, the second half did not resemble the first.