Borussia Dortmund-Manchester City is a match for the fifth day of the group stage of the Champions League and will be played on Tuesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions, live TV and streaming
In the match that will witness Erling Haaland’s thrilling return to what has been his ‘home’ for two and a half years, Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, Group G’s top spot is up for grabs. And Manchester City, already certain of qualification for the round of 16, have two results at their disposal to secure first place with one round to spare.
There was actually a chance to seal the deal a fortnight ago, but the Citizens unexpectedly drew 0-0 at home to Copenhagen, putting everything off until the match against Borussia Dortmund, who are three points behind in the table. The first leg ended 2-1 to the Englishmen, with the decisive goal – coincidentally – coming from the former yellow-ball slinger. He has already punished his former team and is ready to do it again. After running out of goals in the match against Liverpool – City’s first defeat – the relentless Norwegian striker was back in the thick of things last weekend, twice finishing on the scorers’ sheet in the home match against Brighton, beaten 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. There are already 17 goals scored by Haaland in this first part of the season and there are very few adjectives left to describe his omnipotence in goal.
In the Premier League, City are now second, just two points behind Arsenal in the lead. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, took a clear-cut victory in the last Bundesliga round: 5-0 against Stuttgart and a closer lead after Union Berlin’s unexpected defeat at Bochum. Edin Terzic’s side would also qualify for the round of 16 if City draw, provided Copenhagen do not win. But they could even snatch a pass even if they lose if the match in Sevilla between the hosts and the Danes ends in a draw.
Reus during the first leg
The Prediction
We expect a similar script to that of the first leg, with Borussia Dortmund attempting to limit the damage by playing a shrewd game in the non-possession phase, trying to take advantage of every slightest blunder by Pep Guardiola’s team. It will not be easy for the Citizens to defeat one of the hottest stadiums in Europe, but the chances of them avoiding defeat and winning first place are very high. As in Manchester, they are likely to score both goals.
Borussia Dortmund-Manchester City line-up probables
- BORUSSIA DORTMUND (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Wolf, Sule, Hummels, Guerreiro; Can, Bellingham; Adeyemi, Brandt, Malen; Moukoko.
- MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Akanji, Ruben Dias, Aké, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
