Manchester 4-1 Dortmund champions League post-match preview

6th November, 2025

Manchester City 4-1 Borussia Dortmund

The Etihad was the stage for a dramatic, high-stakes Champions League showdown last night, but in the end, it was less a thriller and more a display of Manchester City's clinical dominance. The final scoreline of 4-1 over Borussia Dortmund confirms Pep Guardiola's side as the group winners, and sends a clear warning across Europe: the treble winners are hitting peak form.

The match lived up to its billing for 30 minutes, but once City found the first goal, Dortmund’s high-risk style was cruelly exposed by City's world-class finishing, leading to a comprehensive victory that never truly felt in doubt after the second half began.

Was it ever going to be anyone else? Erling Haaland ensured his reunion with his former club was a memorable, albeit painful, one for the visitors. The Norwegian forward was simply unplayable, scoring two goals and setting up another in a majestic performance.

His first goal, coming in the 34th minute, was a vintage demonstration of his pace and power, shrugging off two Dortmund defenders before smashing a low shot past Gregor Kobel. His second, coming just after the hour mark, was a sensational overhead bicycle kick—a moment of pure genius that combined athleticism and precision, leaving his former teammates simply applauding the inevitable. Haaland's performance was the difference between a tough contest and a blowout.

While Haaland dominated the score sheet, the player who arguably won the hearts and impressed the fans the most was the Belgian winger, Jérémy Doku.

Dortmund's fullbacks simply could not handle Doku's explosive pace and fearless dribbling. He was a constant source of trouble on the left wing, consistently beating his man and creating chaos in the box. He provided the crucial assist for City's third goal and drew several fouls in dangerous positions. The sheer audacity and energy he brought to the attack electrified the Etihad crowd, who roared in appreciation every time he took on a defender. His unpredictability makes City's attack terrifyingly complete.

In a match defined by attacking flair, the player who delivered the most consistent and important performance for City was their defensive linchpin, Rodri.

Returning to the starting XI, the Spanish midfielder was flawless. He controlled the tempo of the game, ensured that every Dortmund counter-attack broke down at his feet, and dictated City's possession with an incredible 95% pass accuracy. His ability to recover the ball, shield the defense, and launch attacks is the engine that allows the flair players like Haaland and Doku to operate freely. Rodri's quiet authority is what keeps the entire City system functioning at an elite level—he is, without question, the most consistently high-performing player in Pep Guardiola's side.

For Borussia Dortmund, the match confirmed their fundamental flaw: their high-scoring attack cannot compensate for their shaky defense. They were naive in their attempts to press City, allowing too much space behind their fullbacks, which Doku and Phil Foden gladly exploited. The gap in quality between the teams was significant, and the home side made them pay for every mistake.

This victory sends City through to the knockout stages with ease, cementing their position as the clear favourite to lift the trophy again.