Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points as City come from behind to reach semis | UEFA Champions League 2020-21

Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two
Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two

Manchester City recovered from a goal down to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate to reach their first Champions League semi-final in five years.

A spectacular Jude Bellingham goal in the 15th minute saw Borussia Dortmund open the scoring. In the 15th minute, the English teenager beat Manchester City custodian Ederson with a beautiful curler to become the second-youngest player to score in the competition's knockout stage.

Kevin De Bruyne hit the woodwork. But Borussia Dortmund defended with gusto, thwarting numerous Manchester City attacks, to lead the tie on away goals at the break. However, a reckless mistake by Emre Can inside the penalty box allowed Manchester City to level proceedings and sneak ahead on aggregate.

With the hosts unable to muster a response, Phil Foden put the tie to bed, unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box to beat the excellent Marwin Hitz.

Manchester City hung on for the win to reach their first Champions League semi-final in six years, where they'll meet French champions PSG.

On that note, let's take a look at five talking points from the game.


#1 Manchester City display character and resilience

Jude Bellingham (right) rejoices after scoring against Manchester City.
Jude Bellingham (right) rejoices after scoring against Manchester City.

Manchester City expectedly started the game on the front foot, dominating proceedings. But their profligacy meant Borussia Dortmund scored against the run of play to take a surprise lead, which put them ahead on aggregate.

However, Manchester City responded with aplomb, as the likes of Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne began to find the half-spaces between the Borussia Dortmund defence.

In the second half, Manchester City's quality told, as they levelled from the spot and scored a late winner while not allowing Borussia Dortmund a sniff at their goal.


#2 Individual errors cost Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two
Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two

The first 45 minutes went exactly how Edin Terzic would've wanted the game to go. Borussia Dortmund went into the second half with a 1-0 lead on the night and ahead on away goals. Manchester City came close to scoring on a few occasions, but Borussia Dortmund limited their illustrious visitors to only one shot on target.

However, the complexion of the game changed when the experienced Emre Can committed a rookie error. Without any pressure on him, Can allowed Oleksandr Zincheko's cross to hit his arm off his head. After a lengthy review, VAR upheld the penalty call, and Riyad Mahrez made no mistake from the spot.

The second Manchester City goal also came via another individual mistake. Goal-scorer Jude Bellingham, who was supposed to mark his compatriot Phil Foden, inexplicably allowed the Manchester City player too much time and space on the edge of the box to score the winner.

#3 Manchester City produce a superb defensive display

Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two
Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two

Despite conceding an early goal to Borussia Dortmund, much against the run of play, Manchester City made sure to reassert their ascendancy in the game by producing a resolute defensive display.

Borussia Dortmund struggled to conjure too many goal-scoring opportunities, as Manchester City's defensive duo of John Stones and Ruben Dias kept the hosts at bay.

Pep Guardiola's decision to bench Joao Cancelo, arguably one of Manchester City's best players of the season, didn't cost the visitors, as Oleksandr Zinchenko had a lively outing on the left flank.


#4 Manchester City reach first Champions League semi-final under Pep Guardiola

Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two
Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 1: Leg Two

Pep Guardiola has attracted much criticism for failing to take Manchester City beyond the quarter-finals during his managerial stint at the club.

The Spanish tactician's choice of tactics and personnel in knockout games have been Manchester City's undoing in the competition. But against Borussia Dortmund, Guardiola got his tactics and XI spot on, as Manchester City emerged deserved winners on the night.

After years of despair, getting knocked out in the quarter-finals against the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Monaco and Olympique Lyon, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are looking good to go all the way this year.

The Manchester City manager and his players deserve all the plaudits for their performances over the two legs. Borussia Dortmund have the quality to trouble the best of teams, but Manchester City did fairly well to emerge unscathed.


#5 Quadruple on for Manchester City

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg One
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Leg One

With their win, Manchester City are now alive in four different competitions.

The runaway Premier League leaders play Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend and face Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup title match a week later.

However, Manchester City face a formidable challenge in the Champions League, as French champions PSG stand in their way of the Cityzens' maiden appearance in the final of the competition.

Mauricio Pochettino's men eliminated holders Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and are looking determined to win the competition this year after falling in the final hurdle in 2020.

With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Keylor Navas, PSG have a star-studded roster that could cause Manchester City all sorts of problems. But City will fancy their own chances, as their talisman Kevin De Bruyne and the young Phil Foden have been in excellent form.

It remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola's men go on to create history and win an unprecedented quadruple this season.

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Edited by Bhargav