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Manchester City got the better of Borussia Dortmund in an intense UEFA Champions League affair earlier today as they edged their opponents to a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden found the back of the net for Manchester City on either side of a Marco Reus finish.
Borussia Dortmund will now have to work hard in the return leg next week but can bank on their crucial away goal to give them a slight impetus. Manchester City were well below their best in this fixture and can count themselves lucky to have come away with a victory.
Borussia Dortmund made a positive start to the game as Jude Bellingham registered the first shot of the game. Manchester City kept plenty of the ball but did not find it easy to scythe through the Germans' defensive lines.
Manchester City drew first blood before the half-hour mark, however, as an error by Emre Can gave Kevin De Bruyne the opening goal. The German midfielder also survived a penalty scare in the first half as Manchester City continued to grow in confidence.
Manchester City were fortunate not to concede an equaliser as Jude Bellingham was surprisingly denied a goal by the officials after robbing Ederson of the ball. The Cityzens held on to their lead and went into half-time with a marginal advantage.
Borussia Dortmund were intent on securing their equaliser in the second half as Marcos Reus and Erling Haaland tested Manchester City with their efforts. The Cityzens had their own share of chances and nearly doubled their lead through Phil Foden.
Manchester City were wasteful in the second half and were unable to make the most of their technical superiority. Borussia Dortmund bided their time and their efforts bore fruit as Erling Haaland combined with Marco Reus to give the latter a well-deserved goal.
Manchester City were in no mood to relent, however, and Phil Foden found his shooting boots and gave the Cityzens the lead towards the end of the game. Borussia Dortmund did manage to get their away goal but will have to work hard to overturn a first-leg deficit.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Ederson Moraes - 6/10
Ederson had a particularly shaky moment against Jude Bellingham in the first half and was fortunate to concede only one goal. The Brazilian shot-stopper made amends with an excellent save against Erling Haaland but could have done better to prevent Marcos Reus' goal.
Ruben Dias - 5/10
Ruben Dias has been a revelation for Manchester City this season but struggled to cope with Borussia Dortmund's dynamic attack. The Portuguese defender was tormented by Erling Haaland and was caught out of position for Borussia Dortmund's equaliser.
John Stones - 6/10
John Stones did not have an easy game against Erling Haaland but managed to hold his ground against Borussia Dortmund's attacks. The English defender did concede a few fouls but was able to come out of his ordeal unscathed.
Kyle Walker - 5.5/10
Kyle Walker ventured into Borussia Dortmund's half on numerous occasions but was unable to provide his side with a final product. The English full-back could have been better-placed to deny Marco Reus his goal in the second half.
Joao Cancelo - 6/10
Joao Cancelo has played a pivotal role in Manchester City's impressive streak this season but put in a subdued performance against Borussia Dortmund. The Portuguese full-back was unable to drift into his free role and was largely restricted to the left flank.
Rodri - 6.5/10
Rodri put in an impressive shift against Borussia Dortmund and won the ball for his side on several occasions. The Spanish midfielder was metronomic with his passing and used his intelligence to dominate the game for Manchester City.
Ilkay Gundogan - 6.5/10
Ilkay Gundogan was impressive against his former side and gave his compatriot Emre Can a series of problems in the middle of the pitch. The Manchester City midfielder was unable to add to his goal today against Borussia Dortmund but enjoyed a positive outing.
Kevin De Bruyne - 7.5/10
Kevin De Bruyne was both the architect and the finisher of Manchester City's first goal and burst into the penalty area to finish a move that caught Borussia Dortmund napping. The Belgian midfielder was also instrumental to Manchester City's winner and seems to be hitting his peak.
Phil Foden - 7/10
Phil Foden was a constant menace against Borussia Dortmund and found himself in excellent positions on the pitch on several occasions. The English youngster got the better of Morey and Meunier and scored a well-deserved goal to give Manchester City the victory.
Riyad Mahrez - 6.5/10
Riyad Mahrez was not at his best against Borussia Dortmund but managed to bag an assist for Manchester City's first goal with a well-placed pass. The Algerian winger was heavily marked and was unable to get the better of the Germans' robust defensive lines.
Bernardo Silva - 6/10
Bernardo Silva played as a false nine for much of the first half and was accurate with his passing and movement. The Portuguese attacker did not have much of an impact in the final third, however, and was replaced by Gabriel Jesus at the hour-mark.
Substitutes
Gabriel Jesus - 6.5/10
Gabriel Jesus had a positive impact on the match and his presence did result in the creation of a few chances for Manchester City in the second half.
Also Read: Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain: 5 key battles to watch out for | UEFA Champions League 2020-21
Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings
Marwin Hitz - 6/10
Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper Marwin Hitz had little to do against Manchester City and made a few regulation saves against his opponents. The goalkeeper could do very little to stop Manchester City's goals.
Manuel Akanji - 7/10
Manuel Akanji was excellent against Manchester City and kept Bernardo Silva quiet for most of the game. The centre-back was occasionally pulled out of position but was able to recover against a strong Manchester City attack.
Mats Hummels - 7/10
Mats Hummels brought his experience to the fore against Manchester City and thwarted his opponents on several occasions. The German defender was accurate with his passing and initiated several counters for Borussia Dortmund.
Raphael Guerreiro - 6/10
Raphael Guerreiro was well below his best against Manchester City and was unable to push forward with Riyad Mahrez lurking in the final third. The full-back did well to keep the Algerian quiet but was restricted to his own half as a result.
Mateu Morey - 5.5/10
Mateu Morey was run ragged by Phil Foden on the flank and was unable to cope with the Englishman's pace and trickery. The Spanish full-back was replaced by Thomas Meunier in the second half.
Emre Can - 4.5/10
Emre Can was largely at fault for Manchester City's opening goal and needlessly gave the ball away in his own half. The former Liverpool midfielder struggled to cope with Manchester City's fluid movements and did not have a good game.
Mahmoud Dahoud - 7/10
Mahmoud Dahoud was one of Borussia Dortmund's better players on the day and held his own against the likes of Gundogan and De Bruyne. Dahoud was excellent on the ball and nearly bagged an assist with a brilliant pass to Erling Haaland.
Jude Bellingham - 7.5/10
Jude Bellingham was one of the best players on the pitch against Manchester City and troubled the Cityzens with his movement and guide. Bellingham was robbed of a goal in the first half but proved his mettle against one of the Premier League's best teams.
Ansgar Knauff - 6.5/10
Ansgar Knauff gave a good account of himself against Manchester City and was impressive in the final third. The youngster had an excellent work rate and embarked on his fair share of piercing runs into the Cityzens' half.
Marco Reus - 7/10
Marco Reus had a quiet first half but came into his own after half-time. The German veteran troubled Manchester City's defence on a couple of occasions before slotting the ball past Ederson to score an important away goal.
Erling Haaland - 7/10
Erling Haaland troubled Ruben Dias on numerous occasions and was denied a goal by Ederson in the second half. The Norwegian striker pulled off a brilliant flick to assist Marco Reus' goal and put in a confident shift.
Substitutes
Giovanni Reyna - 6/10
Giovanni Reyna came on Ansgar Knauff but was unable to exert his influence on the game with Manchester City dominating the ball.
Thomas Delaney - 6/10
With De Bruyne and Gundogan bossing the midfield, Thomas Delaney was not able to have much of an impact with his substitute appearance.
Thomas Meunier - 5.5/10
Thomas Meunier replaced Mateu Morey in the second half and did not fare any better against the enigmatic Phil Foden. The full-back could have done a better job to prevent Manchester City's winning goal.
