Man City 2-1 Dortmund: Player ratings & man of the match as Erling Haaland rescues the win

Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Wednesday in the Champions League despite Pep Guardiola’s side playing far below their usual standards for most of the night.

The visitors had taken the lead via Jude Bellingham after the break and City hadn’t even registered a shot on target before the 80th minute, but managed to come from behind to take all three points courtesy of goals from John Stones and Erling Haaland.

The game was preceded by a moment of silence as a mark of respect to the Queen, which was impeccably held by both sides and sets of fans.

The sombre mood perhaps bled into the game, with the play and atmosphere much flatter than normal matches at the Etihad.

In fact, City failed to manage a shot on target in the first half, with the best effort coming from a Joao Cancelo effort that blazed over.

Salih Ozcan did go close for the visitors, but his shot after 16 minutes was comfortably held by Ederson.

It was Dortmund who also had the first decent chance of the second half, with Marco Reus slicing wide after cutting inside on his right foot inside the box.

But in the 57th minute Dortmund found the breakthrough, with Bellingham reacting quickest just a few yards out, to Reus’ shot. The England international’s touch gave Ederson no chance of reacting and ensured Dortmund grabbed the lead.

Haaland’s first chance of the game came after 65 minutes, but he placed his shot wide of Alexander Meyer’s near post.

Yet when the goal did come it was via an unlikely source. Stones’ excellent strike from around 25 yards swerved and dipped on its way into the back of the Dortmund net, although Meyer will be disappointed he didn’t get a hand to the ball at his near post.

And then suddenly it was City who were leading. Joao Cancelo picked out Haaland with an outrageous pass with the outside of his foot. The ball sat up about shoulder height for City’s No.9, yet somehow he managed to get his leg high enough and unconventionally flick it into the back of the net.

Thomas Meunier shot wide soon after, before Alvarez had a decent strike saved in the latter stages, and Donyell Malen went close in injury-time, but City held onto the points.

Manchester City player ratings

Ederson- 6

Didn’t have many saves to make, but was quick to rush off his line and stop any Dortmund attacks in their infancy.

John Stones- 5

Played at right-back and mainly disrupted City’s rhythm, while Dortmund found a lot of joy down City’s right flank. But his goal proved to be a game-changing moment and he won’t score many better in his career.

Manuel Akanji- 6

Perhaps City’s most consistent performer across the night. The former Dortmund man won his battle with Anthony Modeste and had a lot of time in possession.

Nathan Ake- 6

Dortmund didn’t pose a great attacking threat for most of the game and the centre-backs had little to contend with. Ake had a solid yet unspectacular showing.

Joao Cancelo- 6

Got forward more in the second half, but wasn’t particularly creative from left-back for most of the game. That was until he played that phenomenal pass for Haaland’s inventive winner.

Rodri- 5

Cut out some Dortmund attacks but his passing was a little loose. The midfielder didn’t display his usually impressive distribution and was booked for a challenge on Bellingham in the second half.

Ilkay Gundogan- 5 (off 58)

Far off his usual standard. He didn’t press with intensity or move the ball quick enough. Most of Gundogan’s passes tended to be in front of the Dortmund defence and midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne- 5

Another who had an off night, and De Bruyne’s usually penetrative passes failed to find their mark, while he seemed too concerned with finding Haaland.

Riyad Mahrez- 4 (off 58)

A particularly poor display from the winger who struggled to get involved or create any meaningful attacks. Mahrez looked flat and displayed no flair.

Erling Haaland- 7 (off 90+2)

Didn’t see much of the ball but gave the Dortmund centre-backs plenty to deal with, and there was some excellent last-ditch defending to deny him. The striker produced another moment of magic late on with a sensational finish to down his former side.

Jack Grealish- 4 (off 58)

Tried to get on the ball and make things happen, but little of it was effective. City’s No.10 saw several shots blocked in the box while he tended to slow down the play.

Julian Alvarez- 5 (on 58)

His pace and directness caused problems even if he didn’t create many real chances himself.

Bernardo Silva- 6 (on 58)

Helped City regain some control in the latter stages and the Blues were better after his introduction.

Phil Foden- 6 (on 58)

Moved the ball quicker than Grealish and tried to stretch the Dortmund backline wherever possible.

Kalvin Phillips (on 90+2)

Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Meyer 5; Meunier 7, Sule 8, Hummels 8, Guerreiro 7; Can 6, Bellingham 7, Ozcan 7 (Adeyemi 88); Reyna 5 (Malen 62;5), Modeste 4 (Schlotterbeck 78), Reus 6 (Moukoko 88).

Man of the match

It might be unconventional to give a losing player man of the match, but for 80 minutes Dortmund defended brilliantly. Niklas Sule was very much at the heart of that and produced some huge tackles and headers to initially deny Haaland.