After a strong start, Borussia struggled to get a foothold in the game and contain their opponents for much of the first half, and had Gregor Kobel to thank for keeping the score at no more than 2-0 at half-time, with Foden (22) and Haaland (29) scoring the goals. Foden then made it 3-0 just before the hour mark. BVB also had chances – both before and after the break. Anton reduced the deficit to 3-1 in the 72nd minute. Adeyemi failed to capitalise on three big chances to score. Cherki put the final nail in the coffin in added time, bringing the final score to 4-1 in favour of Manchester City.
Scenario:
The trip to Manchester on Matchday 4 was BVB’s third away game in the competition. The Black & Yellows travelled to the North-West of England in sixth place with seven points. City were one place behind in seventh due to a marginal goal difference in BVB’s favour. Borussia had previously played three times at the Etihad Stadium, scoring in each game but only taking home points once – in 2012 (1-1, 2-1, 2-1).
Personnel matters:Julian Brandt (muscle problems) and Niklas Süle (injured toe) were absent. Five days after the 1-0 win in Augsburg, Niko Kovac brought in Nico Schlotterbeck, Julian Ryerson, Marcel Sabitzer, Daniel Svensson and Karim Adeyemi to replace Aaron Anselmino, Yan Couto, Pascal Gross, Carney Chukwuemeka (all of whom dropped to the bench) as well as Brandt in the starting XI. It was a very similar team to the one that played out a spectacular 4-4 draw away to Juventus on Mathday 1 (only Schlotterbeck replaced Couto). Kovac: ”We don’t want to hide.”
Tactics:
BVB played in their usual 3-4-2-1 formation and tried to play high up the pitch and defend as a unit. The Black & Yellows looked to close down space in the centre in particular against an opponent who switched quickly and cleanly in a 4-3-3 system with only one defensive midfielder and five attacking players. Svensson often moved into central midfield when in possession, with Bensebaini and Beier then playing on the left.
The match & analysis:Borussia came to play – and initially performed well. The Black and Yellows had 57% possession in the first ten minutes, with numerous attempts on goal, mainly through Adeyemi. But City had the first chance: Foden tested Kobel with a powerful shot from 19 metres out (10).
After that, the balance shifted. City took the initiative. Ryerson was required to intervene and prevent Haaland from getting a shot off in the 21st minute. The Black & Yellows had dealt well with City’s high tempo and technical class in the opening stages, but soon gaps started emerging. This is what happened on an attack by the hosts down the right wing: Reijnders was put under no pressure after receiving a pass and had time to pick out Foden. The England international had plenty of space, cut inside and placed the ball precisely into the left corner from distance to make it 1-0.
Borussia had no control over the game at this stage — nor over their opponents. Haaland received the ball just behind the centre circle, then drove forward through four Dortmund players before playing a square pass to O’Reilly, who shot first time with his left foot from the penalty spot only to be denied by a brilliant save from Kobel (28). One minute later, Doku broke through on the left wing and crossed sharply into the box from almost the byline. Haaland drilled the delivery into the net to make it 2-0 (2’). Kobel made another outstanding save shortly afterwards, this time to deny Nunes (33).
When the English side took their foot off the gas a little, a solo effort from Adeyemi almost led to a goal, but Donnarumma was well-placed to deny him (39). Gvardiol then blocked Adeyemi’s shot from a central position after a pass from Guirassy (41). With the hosts having 11 shots on goal to their opponents’ four, they went into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead.
The second half began with another Kobel save, as he reacted quickly to block Savinho’s shot (46). An unpunished foul by Savinho, who hit Ramy Bensebaini in the face with his arm on the touchline, causing the Borussia player to lose the ball, was the precursor to the third goal, which could have been prevented. But once again, the Black & Yellows were unable to keep control in front of their own penalty area, as City passed the ball around and probed for an opening. The ball ended up with Foden, who made it 3-0 with a well-placed shot from 18 metres out (57). Down the other end, Donnarumma made a strong stop to deny the hard-working Serhou Guirassy. BVB could have scored a goal or two themselves, but City might well have added to their tally as well.
Kovac reacted – probably with Saturday’s match against Hamburg and a seventh game in 22 days in mind – with a quadruple substitution. Gross, Can, Chukwuemeka and Bellingham came on for Sabitzer, Bensebaini, Beier and Guirassy, as the team switched to a 5-3-2 formation. After a quickly taken free kick from Gross, Ryerson had plenty of space on the right wing. Anton ran into the area and got on the end of the cross to make it 3-1 (72). Adeyemi’s shot through Stones’ legs almost made it 3-2, but the ball slipped away for a corner (76).
Despite being behind, the team showed belief and kept pushing forward. There were turbulent scenes in and around the Manchester penalty area. But there was also one in front of the Dortmund goal. Fabio Silva couldn’t control Can’s pass, Cherki intervened, and then his shot was deflected into the back of the net, leaving Kobel with no chance, to bring the score to 4-1.
Outlook:The next opponents in the Champions League are Villarreal on 25 November. Before that, Dortmund travel to Hamburg in the league this Saturday. Fourteen days later, after the international break, VfB Stuttgart will visit SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.Boris Rupert
Teams & goals
UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 20:00 CET (local time)MANCHESTER CITY 4–1 (2-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND
