Manchester City shared the spoils with Borussia Dortmund in an eventful game, with both teams through to the knockout berth in the Champions League.
Riyad Mahrez missed a chance from the penalty spot as Manchester City registered consecutive stalemates in the Champions League with a 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund. A pale first half was followed by an intense second half. But Manchester City never looked like they had the intent to tame Dortmund down at the Signal Iduna Park.
Youssoufa Moukoko and Karim Adeyemi had their chances, but their inexperience might have saved Manchester City the blushes. Julian Brandt’s free-kick brushed the post, while Adeyemi’s underwhelming effort could not trouble Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.
Moukoko was destined to score when he tried to latch onto Adeyemi’s low cross. But the young striker missed connecting the ball properly. Manchester City were more energetic in the second half, and Mahrez earned a penalty as Emre Can caught his leg inside the box.
But Gregor Kobel judged the spot-kick right and parried it away to deny the English champions from hurting their back. The result means Dortmund are safely through to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, with Manchester City confirming the top spot in Group G. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Edin Terzic and Pep Guardiola’s men.
FULL-TIME | It all ends level in Dortmund 🤝
🟡 0-0 🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/AR9YiKgEx9
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 25, 2022
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel: 8/10
The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper had a fantastic night under the woodwork as he denied Manchester City with a couple of good saves. He also kept out a Riyad Mahrez spot kick when it was needed the most.
Niklas Sule: 7/10
Another impressive performance on the right side of the Borussia Dortmund defence. Sule was very aware and did not let Phil Foden in as he kept the Englishman under severe check. He made a few forward runs through the flank.
Mats Hummels: 9/10
A call-up to the German national team could be a matter of time if the veteran defender continues to churn out such performances. Hummles shunned out Erling Haaland as the Manchester City striker looked isolated most of the time. He made a few important interceptions and did not really allow City to grasp a chance.
Nico Schlotterbeck: 7/10
Schlotterbeck was strong and composed on the ball and kept his cool while dealing with crunch situations.
Thorgan Hazard: 7/10
Hazard was asked to play out of position, and he did a wonderful job. The Belgian international did the basics right and did not put a foot wrong.
Jude Bellingham: 7/10
📊 – Jude Bellingham vs. Manchester City:
Minutes played: 9️⃣0️⃣
Touches: 4️⃣7️⃣
Pass success: 9️⃣7️⃣%
Accurate long balls: 1️⃣
Successful dribbles: 1️⃣
Interceptions: 1️⃣
Recoveries: 6️⃣
Duels won: 4️⃣
Fouls won: 2️⃣Dortmund qualify for the Round of 16! ✅ pic.twitter.com/ilPMcu0EQE
— Bellingham Xtra™ (@Bellingham_Xtra) October 25, 2022
A formidable performance from the English midfielder. Bellingham did not perform the way he would have liked but still made his way around the whole pitch.
Emre Can: 6/10
Can slotted in a deeper role and delivered a good response. The German international cheaply gave away a penalty, but Kobel was there to save his teammate.
Julian Brandt: 6/10
Brandt was involved in a couple of good moves. He helped in defending to maintain the shape of his team. The German international also came close to scoring with a free-kick.
Karim Adeyemi: 7/10
Adeyemi gave Joao Cancelo a taste of his own medicine as he used the space behind him quite easily and emerged as a potential attacking threat down the right channel.
Youssoufa Moukoko: 7/10
Moukoko produced yet solid display this season. The 17-year-old created problems for the Manchester City defence throughout and had a couple of golden chances to see out the game.
Giovanni Reyna: 5/10
Reyna had a game to forget as he did not influence the proceedings much. It is back to the drawing board for him.
SUBSTITUTES
Donyell Malen: 5/10
Malen had a forgettable cameo, with chances not falling his way.
Anthony Modeste: N/A
Did not play enough to warranty a rating.
Marius Wolf: N/A
Did not play enough to warranty a rating.
Antonios Papadopoulos: N/A
Did not play enough to warranty a rating.
Manchester City
Stefan Ortega: 7/10
A surprise choice over Ederson. But Ortega earned a clean sheet for Manchester City with a number of good saves.
Stefan Ortega coming back to Westfalenstadion with Manchester City as a starter in a #UCL game under Pep Guardiola.
7 months and 12 days ago he was in the same stadium, between the same sticks, with Arminia Bielefeld.
An unbelievable step – and totally deserved. pic.twitter.com/XUGGK1URpw
— Giorgio Dusi (@Gio_Dusi) October 25, 2022
John Stones: 7/10
Stones struggled at times with his defensive display but also joined the attacks a few times. It was a decent enough display for the most part.
Ruben Dias: 7/10
The Portuguese international stood tall in the midst of the barging Dortmund attackers. Dias continues to hold the fort for Manchester City.
Nathan Ake: 5/10
Ake had a forgettable evening, as Borussia Dortmund targeted his side to get into the Manchester City box again and again.
Joao Cancelo: 4/10
A rare bad day for the Portuguese full-back, as he caught in the mix-up, and Borussia Dortmund exploited him pretty badly
Rodri: 6/10
Rodri was in his usual rhythm and controlled the proceedings in the middle of the pitch.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10
Gundogan partnered Rodri well and maintained the bridge between attack and defence. He did as much as he could from the middle of the park.
Phil Foden: 5/10
Foden had an improved second-half performance but still was not his usual self. A rare blip for the Englishman.
Riyad Mahrez: 5/10
Kobel to the rescue for Dortmund! 🧤 Mahrez denied 🚫#UCL pic.twitter.com/EBeNKkEPCl
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 25, 2022
Mahrez missed a penalty which could have been the decider. Otherwise, he was constantly in and out of the game and needed to do better.
Julian Alvarez: 5/10
Alvarez had the opportunity to impress in a rare start but could not really take up his chances
Erling Haaland: 4/10
Haaland had a poor outing as he was contained superbly by Mats Hummels during his stay on the pitch. He went off due to an illness and a minor knock, which might be concerning for Manchester City fans
SUBSTITUTES
Bernardo Silva: 7/10
Manchester City looked much sharper after his introduction. And Bernardo Silva was also involved in the build-up to the move that led to the penalty.
Manuel Akanji: 7/10
Akanji was an inspired introduction as he plugged the gap in the Manchester City defence upon his arrival.
Jack Grealish: N/A
Did not play enough to warranty a rating.
Cole Palmer: N/A
Did not play enough to warranty a rating.
