Manchester City 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: 5 talking points as Cityzens pick up narrow victory | UEFA Champions League 2020-21 

Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie on Tuesday night
Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie on Tuesday night

Goals in each half from Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden helped Manchester City pick up a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie.

The hosts drafted Joao Cancelo and Ilkay Gundogan back into the starting lineup and dominated most of the early proceedings.

Manchester City went ahead in the 19th minute when Riyad Mahrez intercepted a misplaced pass by Emre Can. The Algeria international quickly fed Kevin de Bruyne, who launched a devastating counterattack.

His pristine through-ball back to Mahrez found him down the left channel. The former Leicester City man showed great awareness to cut back for De Bruyne to place into the net.

They had a chance to double their lead when referee Ovidiu Hategan pointed to the spot after Can seemingly brought down Rodri in the area. However, the referee changed his decision after his VAR review deemed the contact not strong enough to warrant a theatrical fall.

Borussia Dortmund had the ball in the back of the net in the 37th minute after Jude Bellingham dispossessed Ederson outside his area. However, the referee expunged the goal for a foul, much to the chagrin of the visitors.

The second half started with Dortmund on the front foot. They got their first real chance of the game when Erling Haaland showed great strength to hold off Ruben Dias after being played through by Mahmoud Dahoud.

Ederson, however, produced a save with his leg to deny the Norwegian the equalizer.

This jolted Manchester City back to life. They started dominating proceedings once again, with Marwin Hitz having to pull off a stunning save at point-blank range from Phil Foden.

Kevin de Bruyne was also close to scoring after he dribbled across the Dortmund backline but saw his shot sail just wide.

The hosts paid the price for failing to take their chances when Marco Reus drew Dortmund level in the 84th minute after being set up by Erling Haaland. The goal saw Reus become BVB's all-time highest goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League.

Just when it seemed like both sides would share the spoils, Kevin de Bruyne's pristine cross to the backpost found Ilkay Gundogan, who set Foden up to score the winner.

There were appeals from the visitors that the Germany international was offside, but replays showed he timed his run to perfection to give Manchester City the lead.

Both sides will turn their attention to domestic action this weekend ahead of the return leg in Germany next week.

Here are five talking points from the fixture.

#5 Exciting fixture leaves everything to play for in the second leg

Manchester City failed to make the most of their advantage
Manchester City failed to make the most of their advantage

Manchester City dominated most of the proceedings from start to finish. Having gotten an early lead, it seemed like they were going to blow Dortmund away.

However, a lackluster display in attack meant that they failed to kill the game off, which gave the visitors hope of getting back into it. That was precisely what happened when Reus leveled matters with six minutes to go.

Despite Foden's late winner, Dortmund's away goal gave them a lifeline heading into the second leg on home turf.

Considering Manchester City's recent malaise at this stage of the tournament, Pep Guardiola will be ruing his side's inability to make the most of their dominance.

#4 Did Erling Haaland do enough in front of potential employers Manchester City?

Erling Haaland provided the assist for Dortmund's goal against Manchester City
Erling Haaland provided the assist for Dortmund's goal against Manchester City

Erling Haaland is unarguably the hottest property in world football right now. With several European elites having gone head-to-head for his signature in 2019, another battle is set to ensue in the summer.

The 20-year-old has been immaculate since joining Borussia Dortmund, and it is an open secret that a move to a bigger club is on the cards in the near future.

Manchester City are one of the sides touted to be interested in the Norway international, and their need for a central striker has been bolstered by the impending departure of Sergio Aguero.

The fixture at the Etihad offered Haaland the chance to show what he is capable of up close. However, with the hosts dominating proceedings for most of the game, he was left feeding off scraps.

The one true opportunity that fell in the way of the former Salzburg man saw him showcase the full range of his abilities. He timed his run to perfection and also showed great strength to hold off the challenge of Ruben Dias.

Only a last-ditch save from Ederson prevented Haaland from equalizing at the start of the second half.

He, however, came to the fore late on when he set up Reus for the equalizer. Despite not getting on the scoresheet himself, Haaland still showed his versatility against Manchester City.

#3 Should Jude Bellingham's goal have stood?

The referee ruled out Jude Bellingham's goal against Manchester City
The referee ruled out Jude Bellingham's goal against Manchester City

Manchester City had just been denied a penalty after the intervention of VAR when they became beneficiaries of a questionable decision by the referee.

Ederson's role as a sweeper-keeper has been well noted, and he has played a key role in the successes enjoyed by the Mancunians in the last few years.

Against Dortmund, he received a routine backpass outside his box and took a relatively heavy touch while controlling, giving Jude Bellingham time to move in and rob him off the ball.

The Manchester City goalkeeper followed up by kicking the Dortmund attacker's studs before going down in a heap. Bellingham, in turn, ran with the ball into the box and turned into an empty net only to be called back by the referee.

Casting further aspersion, the 17-year-old was shown a yellow card for the supposed foul. This led to loud shouts from both players and the Dortmund bench.

In fairness, their shouts were justified, as replays showed that Bellingham seemingly won the ball cleanly off Ederson.

It is well-known that goalkeepers are offered maximum protection in their area. However, the fact that the Manchester City goalkeeper was well outside the penalty box when he was dispossessed meant that he lost the privileges afforded him in the area.

Had an outfield player been dispossessed in such a manner, it is highly unlikely that Bellingham would have been called back for a foul.

#2 Phil Foden caps off fine performance with well-taken goal

Phil Foden scored a late winner
Phil Foden scored a late winner

Big things were expected of Phil Foden when he came through the Manchester City academy. Having become ingrained in the Cityzens' first team, the 20-year-old has started coming good.

He was handed a start against Borussia Dortmund and proved to be a handful for the visitors with his excellent positioning and anticipation.

Having missed some good opportunities throughout the game, Foden made amends with a well-taken winner in the final minute to give his side a slim advantage heading into the second leg.

#1 Majestic Kevin de Bruyne controls proceedings effortlessly for Manchester City

Kevin de Bruyne had a hand in both Manchester City goals
Kevin de Bruyne had a hand in both Manchester City goals

Kevin de Bruyne is widely regarded as the premier attacking midfielder in the world and rightly so, as the Belgium international creates chances seemingly at will.

Sporting the armband against Borussia Dortmund, the 29-year-old gave a captain's performance and was the best Manchester City player on the field.

He started and finished the opening goal, while his vision and pristine passing came to the fore on several other occasions.

De Bruyne should have had an assist when his perfect cutback in the area found Phil Foden unmarked in the area. The England international could, however, only shoot straight at Marwin Hitz.

The Manchester City captain still had time to make a mark on the game in the final minute. The full range of his technique and skill were on display as he set up a cross to the back post with his weaker foot, from which the hosts regained their lead.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh