Manchester City scored two goals in four minutes to beat Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League. City scored another goal from Erling Haaland in the Champions League. Guardiola has compared Erling Haaland to Johan Cruyff and Ibrahimovic after Norway’s groundbreaking goal against his former club. Guardiola’s team looked doomed to defeat in the Champions League when Jude Bellingham gave his club the lead early in the second half. Still, John Stones drew late before Erling Haaland had the last word with a measured volley from Joao Cancelo, who invited: a cross of the outer of his boot. Erling Haaland climbed higher to shoot the ball into the net acrobatically and gave Manchester City all three points.
Bellingham’s talent is well known in England, but it never hurts to be reminded of it by playing against a Premier League powerhouse. With the World Cup just over two months away, England supporters would have appreciated watching another mature display from the 19-year-old. Dortmund fans at the Etihad were very happy with his performance. Bellingham‘s goal demonstrated the kind of instinct typical of Haaland as he crept into the box nearly unnoticed. Guardiola spoke to the media following his victory, “I was impressed by him when he was 17 years old two seasons ago. He’s 19 now; he was terrific at 17. Consider the age of 19. He can follow [Ilkay] Gundogan and Kevin [De Bruyne], win duels, transitions are quick, and he has the awareness in the area for the goal he scored. So, certainly, he’s a great player. I believe everyone is aware of that, and not only because Manchester City’s manager says so.”
As Akanji came onto the Etihad Stadium field for the first time as a City player, the Swiss international greeted and hugged his old colleagues. But once the game began, all bets were off, as attacker Anthony Modeste tried his best to confuse the centre-back. It was a lot more complex game than his walk in the Sevilla sunlight last week, and he was caught dreadfully out of position on one swift counter-attack. For Bellingham’s header, he was still when he appeared to be the most likely to cope with the problem.
The City players continue to fall behind and still find a means to complete the task. Already this season, comebacks versus Newcastle and Crystal Palace have resulted in four points in the Premier League, and their latest triumph has set them on pace for Champions League knockout qualifying. Pep Guardiola, of course, will desire that they do it from the beginning, but he will be delighted by his team’s ability to battle back.
