Borussia Dortmund's Marcel Sabitzer was on the losing side in Manchester as City won the day. - © IMAGO/Conor Molloy

bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund downed at Manchester City in UEFA Champions League

06.11.2025

Borussia Dortmund old boy Erling Haaland scored for Manchester City, who ended BVB's unbeaten start to this season's UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City 4-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Foden 22’ (assist: Reijnders), 2-0 Haaland 29 (assist: Doku), 3-0 Foden 57' (assist: Reijnders), 3-1 Anton 72' (assist: Ryerson), 4-1 Cherki 90'+1

Dortmund arrived in Manchester in confident mood. Last Friday’s 1-0 Bundesliga win away against Augsburg lifted the Black-Yellows to third place in the domestic standings and increased their record this term to 14 games with just one loss in all competitions.

Karim Adeyemi set the tone at the City of Manchester Stadium with his quick feet and penetrating runs while Serhou Guirassy cut a menacing figure further ahead.

The problem for Niko Kovač’s team was that they were facing a side that hadn’t lost in the UEFA Champions League group stage or league phase in 23 previous games on home soil. With a record like that, the hosts were bound to show their class at some point here, and they did so in seven devastating minutes that left Die Schwarzgelben playing catch-up.

City captain and former BVB star Erling Haaland greets Nico Schlotterbeck ahead of kick-off. - Carl Recine

Phil Foden’s tidy strike from the edge of the area left Gregor Kobel with no chance and despite the goalkeeper’s subsequent best efforts to keep the score down, he could do nothing to keep Haaland from slamming home against his former employers for what was the Norwegian’s 54th UEFA Champions League goal.

BVB rallied through an Adeyemi strike that Gianluigi Donnarumma did well to keep out, keeping away spirits tempered as the teams headed into the break.

Haaland (c.) celebrates putting City 2-0 up against Dortmund. - IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Mansoor

Those spirits were soon severely shaken after the restart when Foden drove home his second of the game with another cool finish that left Kobel pulling the ball out of his net once more.

Prior to ringing the changes with a quadruple substitution, Dortmund desperately tried to make their mark on the game. Guirassy was twice off target, before the Guinea international drew a top stop from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

With nothing to lose and spaces opening up, the Black-and-Yellows continued to create. Julian Ryerson volleyed over before Adeyemi had a goal-bound shot blocked by the alert John Stones. Substitute Carney Chukwuemeka then got caught in two minds when going for the target, allowing Donnarumma to intervene.

Waldemar Anton (r.) pulled a goal back for BVB. - IMAGO/Mark Cosgrove/News Images

Dortmund's deserved goal eventually arrived inside the final 10 minutes, and it was Waldemar Anton who provided with a shot from Emre Can's assist that left Donnarumma flailing.

Pep Guardiola's team would ultimately have the last word with Rayan Cherki completing the game's scoring at the death. For Dortmund, lessons will be learned ahead of their return to the competition against Villarreal on 25 November.

Match stats

Since losing 4-0 at Barcelona in their 2024/25 Champions League quarter-final first leg on 9 April, Dortmund have lost just three of 27 competitive games (W20, D4).
This was Kovač’s 40th match in charge of Dortmund (W24, D7, L8).
Haaland scored 86 goals in 89 competitive games for Dortmund, before moving to Man City in summer 2022.
Guardiola has faced Dortmund 16 times as a head coach with Bayern and City (W10, D2, L4).

Teams

Man City: Donnarumma - Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O’Reilly (Aït-Nouri 86') - González - Savinho (Rúben Dias 79'), Reijnders (Bernardo Silva 79'), Foden, Doku (Cherki 79') – Haaland (c) (Marmoush 86')
Unused subs: Trafford, Bettinelli, Aké, Khusanov, Bobb, Lewis
Out: Kovačić (ankle), Rodri (ankle)
Coach: Pep Guardiola

Dortmund: Kobel - Anton, Schlotterbeck (c), Bensebaini (Can 66') - Ryerson, Sabitzer (Gross 66'), Nmecha, Svensson - Adeyemi (Fábio Silva 81'), Beier (Bellingham 66') – Guirassy (Chukwuemeka 66')
Unused subs: Ostrzinski, Meyer, Yan Couto, Anselmino
Out: Brandt (muscular), Özcan (ineligible), Süle (toe)
Coach: Niko Kovač

As it happened!

4 - 1

(2 - 0)

Man City

FINAL

Dortmund

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Full-time: City 4-1 BVB

It's game over at the City of Manchester Stadium and the scoreline is a little harsh on the visitors, whose performance merited a little more. As it is, Dortmund leave with plenty of lessons learned ahead of their return to the competition with a game against Villarreal on 25 November.

90'

+ 1

City have four

Cherki runs at the BVB defence and applies a finish that hits Emre Can and goes in.

89'

Cherki

GOAL!

4:1

89'

Time added on

We're heading into four minutes of time added on at the City of Manchester Stadium.

85'

Substitution

Marmoush

Haaland

85'

Substitution

Aït-Nouri

O'Reilly

81'

Substitution

Fabio Silva

Karim Adeyemi

79'

Guardiola moves

The City manager is looking to stem BVB's drive here by making a triple change.

79'

Substitution

Cherki

Doku

79'

Substitution

Silva

Reijnders

79'

Substitution

Rúben Dias

Savinho

78'

Yellow card

Savinho

77'

Stones saves City

The visitors are finding more and more space and Adeyemi manages to get a shot away that looks bound for the corner. John Stones throws out a leg to deny the Dortmund attacker.

74'

Ryerson off target

Was there on offside in the build-up here? Possibly, but Ryerson goes on anyway and volleys over the top.

72'

BVB lifeline

Ryerson plays the ball to Anton, who lets the ball run across his body before rifling the ball past Donnarumma, who looks at his defenders with disdain.

72'

Waldemar Anton

GOAL!

3:1

68'

Dortmund chance

Adeyemi can't find the target when played through by Substitute Emre Can. Unlucky.

66'

Changes

Niko Kovač makes four changes as BVB look to make some sort of scoring mark on this game.

66'

Substitution

Pascal Groß

Marcel Sabitzer

66'

Substitution

Carney Chukwuemeka

Serhou Guirassy

66'

Substitution

Emre Can

Ramy Bensebaini

66'

Substitution

Jobe Bellingham

Maximilian Beier

65'

Donnarumma in the way

Nmecha does brilliantly to win the ball back and feed Guirassy, whose effort at goal looks good, until Donnarumma makes a top save to keep City 3-0 ahead.

63'

Guirassy has a go

Serhou Guirassy finds some space but can only drill a shot off target with passing options open to the striker.

60'

Almost four

Foden hangs one up for Savinho, who shoots over the top when well placed.

57'

City extend lead

Phil Foden is allowed to take a pass from Reijnders and shoots brilliantly into the corner for 3-0. Is that game over? Possibly.

57'

Foden

GOAL!

3:0

56'

Haaland goes alone

Haaland looks to do things by himself with teammates available. The forward's strike is dealt with by Kobel.

55'

Gvardiol tracking Adeyemi

The former RB Leipzig defender wins the battle against BVB's attacker, whose first touch wasn't the best there.

53'

BVB on full alert

Bensebaini makes a crucial intervention to frustrate that man Savinho. The City corner comes to nothing.

50'

City with the ball

BVB are looking to press City higher up the pitch but the visitors' task is being made all the more difficult with City able to stroke the ball around confidently.

47'

Nmecha's moment

The BVB midfielder winds up for an effort at goal but he gets that all wrong and the shot fizzes away.

47'

The story continues

City are picking up where they left off with Savinho having a shot at goal which Kobel does well to parry.

46'

Away we go again

The second half is underway.

Half-time: Man City 2-0 BVB

Goals from Phil Foden and BVB old boy Erling Haaland have City ahead, but the visitors have looked very dangerous at times, especially through Karim Adeyemi. Dortmund are not out of this contest yet.

44'

Haaland has a go

The Norwegian powers a shot at goal but it's straight at Kobel, who catches.

42'

Adeyemi fighting back

The Germany international is doing his best to bring BVB back into the game. A quick spin and shot is blocked by the alert Gvardiol.

41'

Adeyemi chance

Super stuff from the BVB attacker who darts into the area and let's a shot off at goal which Donnarumma does well to flick away. Better from the visitors.

39'

City in the mood

The worry for BVB is that City are in their element here, attacking at will and looking hungry for more goals.

36'

Ryerson down

The Norwegian has been down receiving treatment for a nasty injury to the knee. The flying full-back should be ok to continue, however.

33'

Kobel again

Dortmund need to stop the blue tide here, and especially that man Savinho. The Brazilian finds Reijnders, who in turn has a pop at goal. Kobel makes another brilliant save.

Dortmund hanging on

Erling Haaland has hurt his former employers once more in the Champions League. This will be a tough task for BVB from here.

29'

City double up

Savinho feeds Doku, who races away and cuts-back for Haaland. The former BVB man slams home to make it 2-0

29'

Haaland

GOAL!

2:0

28'

Hero Kobel

Haaland does brilliantly to set up O'Reilly who fires one at goal from the penalty spot. Kobel makes a world-class save to keep BVB from falling further behind.

26'

Hosts turning screw

Savinho is causing BVB all sorts of problems at the moment and the visitors are relieved that Schlotterbeck is there to deny the waiting Foden.

24'

Stoppage

Reijnders and Kobel collide after a ball into the box. Both players will need treatment.

22'

City lead

Phil Foden finds some space on the edge of the D and curls a fine effort around the despairing dive of Gregor Kobel. The hosts are in front.

22'

Foden

GOAL!

1:0

19'

Ryseron intervention

Foden to Savinho, who looks to tee up Haaland. Julian Ryerson is there to make a crucial touch.

BVB matching City

Dortmund have been able to keep the home fans quiet for large parts of this game by matching City's intensity.

16'

Foden again

The City No. 47 has been a busy man in the past few minutes and he's just had a pop at goal from a free kick. Kobel is there to make a comfortbale save.

15'

Yellow card

Daniel Svensson

14'

Svensson in trouble

The Dortmund full-back impedes Savinho and this looks like it's going to be the first booking of the game.

Early intrigue

Dortmund will fancy their chances in Manchester after the bright beginning they've made. It looks like we have an open and entertaining encounter ahead here.

10'

Foden chance

Phil Foden has a crack at goal but Gregor Kobel is equal to it. Savinho is offside as he tries to follow up.

Dortmund build

Adeyemi tries to make some space, and succeeds. He gets a cross in, looking for Guirassy. González is there to clear for City.

Here come City

Reijnders combines with Doku, who fires one into the danger zone. Nobody can take advantage for the hosts.

Plenty of possession

The away side are bossing this league phase match so far with 74 per cent of possession. City are content to sit back and watch for now.

Solid start

Karim Adeyemi and Daniel Svensson are looking lively in the early stages as BVB try to set the tone early.

Game on

The ball is rolling in Manchester ...

All set

The BVB fans are making a lot of noise in the away end at the City of Manchester Stadium. We're ready to go ...

Champions League anthem

The teams are out and lining up for the UEFA Champions League anthem ...

Adeyemi ready

Karim Adeyemi has scored 14 goals in 41 UEFA Champions League appearances and is back to help fire Dortmund's attack in Manchester tonight.

Warm-ups underway

Both sides are going through their respective pre-game warm-ups as we edge closer to kick-off in tonight's big UEFA Champions League clash.

3:02

Dr. Kovač's tactical remedy

More on that Dortmund team

Niko Kovač is showing five changes to the side that started Friday's win against Augsburg. Nico Schlotterbeck is back to captain the Black-and-Yellows while Julian Ryerson, Daniel Svensson, Marcel Sabitzer and Karim Adeyemi all make it in from the get-go. Julian Brandt misses out with a back problem.

More on that City team

Former BVB star Erling Haaland captains the hosts tonight while John Stones, Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho all come in as part of three changes Pep Guardiola makes to his Starting XI.

BVB starting XI

Kobel - Anton, Schlotterbeck (c), Bensebaini - Ryerson, Sabitzer, Nmecha, Svensson - Adeyemi, Beier – Guirassy

BVB subs

Ostrzinski, Meyer, Yan Couto, Bellingham, Gross, Chukwuemeka, Fábio Silva, Can, Anselmino

City starting XI

Donnarumma - Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O’Reilly - González - Savinho, Reijnders, Foden, Doku – Haaland (c)

City subs

Trafford, Bettinelli, Rúben Dias, Aké, Marmoush, Cherki, Bernardo Silva, Aït-Nouri, Khusanov, Bobb, Lewis

Stage set

It's around 15 degrees centigrade in Manchester at the moment and a perfect evening for football as the City of Manchester Stadium slowly fills. We will have team news very shortly.

Man in the middle

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will officiate this evening's contest. The match official was in charge of Dortmund's Champions League encounter against Athletic Club Bilbao at the start of October, a game which the Black-and-Yellows won 4-1.

Pascal Groß on Erling Haaland

"Haaland is an outstanding player who gets incredible numbers. We have to stop him as a team. If we can play our game together as a unit, I'm optimistic for tomorrow."

Niko Kovač on facing Manchester City

"We need to defend high up the pitch. If we just sit back, they have the quality to exploit it. We want to keep the game away from our own goal, and we'll stick to that plan. We're willing to take that risk."

Pascal Groß on facing Manchester City

"City may be more beatable than they were years ago. However, they still have absolutely world-class players in their squad and are currently in a period of adjustment."

2:27

Watch: Kovač & Groß preview Man City and stopping Haaland

Niko Kovač and Pascal Groß looked ahead to Dortmund's Champions League game against Manchester City and stopping former BVB man Erling Haaland.

Pep Guardiola on facing Dortmund

"They always perform their best in the Champions League and always get to the later stages, so it will not be an easy game."

Back where it all started

It will be a trip down memory lane for Felix Nmecha, who has been in great form for Dortmund in the 2025/26 campaign. Dortmund's No.8 spent 12 years at City's academy between 2007 and 2019, though he made just three senior appearances (all in cup competitions) for the Cityzens before moving to Wolfsburg in 2021. With three goals in three appearances in this season's UCL campaign, Nmecha will understandably be wanting to show the Manchester side what they missed out on.

Klassiker memories

Dortmund are the German club that former Bayern head coach and City gaffer Pep Guardiola has faced most in his managerial career. The Spaniard boasts a record of nine wins, two draws, and four defeats in 15 meetings, with a goal difference of just +6 (26 scored, 20 conceded). Niko Kovač will understandably hoping to hand the three-time Meisterschale winner another defeat on Wednesday evening.

Returning to their best

After a difficult start to the season, City are slowly returning to form. They have won five of their last six games, including a 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth on Sunday. Still, they find themselves six points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, having lost three of their opening 10 matches.

5:55

Watch: The best of Omar Marmoush in the Bundesliga

Other familiar faces

Besides Haaland, Man City have several former Bundesliga players in their ranks. Stefan Ortega used to play for Arminia Bielefeld, while Joško Gvardiol and Omar Marmoush used to feature for RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.

Top form

Since losing to Barcelona in the first leg of last season's Champions League quarter-final, Dortmund have been in impressive form, losing just two of their next 26 competitive fixtures. Those defeats came against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, two of the best teams on the planet, so it clearly takes something special to get past Dortmund these days.

8:27

Watch: The best of Nico Schlotterbeck

Schlotterbeck to return?

The good news is that, after missing the Augsburg encounter, Nico Schlotterbeck is back in team training ahead of this clash, which suggests that he may be available to even start at City. Meanwhile, Niklas Süle is back in individual training, but this game comes to soon.

10:57

Wath: The best of Haaland in the Bundesliga

Reunited

Dortmund will come up against former player Erling Haaland at the Etihad Stadium. The Norway international was lethal during his two-and-a-half years at BVB, scoring 86 goals in 89 games across all competitions. He has continued that form in England, netting 141 in 159 for City, and will be his side's danger man once more here.

2:03

Watch: Augsburg 0-1 Borussia Dortmund - highlights

Last Friday, Dortmund continued their strong start to the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign with a narrow win at Augsburg.

Free-scoring Borussia

Dortmund have scored four times in each of their last three league phase encounters. After holding Juventus to a 4-4 draw on Matchday 1, Niko Kovač's side beat Athletic Club 4-1 before triumphing 4-2 in Copenhagen last time out.

Impressive record

Dortmund have won three of their last four games against English teams (L1). They have also kept four clean sheets in their last five UEFA matches against Premier League opposition.

Welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Borussia Dortmund's Champions League encounter with Manchester City on Matchday 4 of the league phase, which kicks off at 9pm CET on Wednesday.