Borussia Dortmund clinch Champions League last 16 berth after goalless draw with Manchester City
By Tushar Bahl
Gregor Kobel saved a penalty as Borussia Dortmund held Manchester City to a goalless draw and sealed their place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
A strong defensive showing helped Borussia Dortmund earn a goalless draw at home to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. Despite being limited to just 31% of possession, the Black and Yellows defended with great resolve and controlled the game without the ball. And their reward for this resolute performance is a place in the Champions League round of 16.
Mats Hummels was the star performer for Borussia Dortmund, marshalling the defence really well and keeping Erling Haaland at bay. While Gregor Kobel saved Riyad Mahrez’s penalty in the second half to ensure a share of the spoils for his side.
Borussia Dortmund also had a number of good chances on the break in the first half. But a lack of clinical edge in front of goal cost them in the end. They still managed to get the job done in the end, and Edin Terzic can now rest a number of his key players for next week’s trip to Copenhagen.
Borussia Dortmund were forced into making a couple of changes to their starting XI with Salih Özcan suspended and Raphael Guerreiro injured. In came Emre Can and Thorgan Hazard. Former Borussia Dortmund duo Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gündogan both started for Manchester City.
Borussia Dortmund made a bright start to the game and were the better team for much of the first half. They defended with great resolve and created some really good opportunities on the counter attack. Karim Adeyemi, Gio Reyna and Youssoufa Moukoko all had chances to score, but weren’t able to beat Stefan Ortega in the Manchester City goal.
The second half was more of the same, with Manchester City dominating possession without ever looking like threatening Gregor Kobel in goal. However, they were gifted a golden opportunity in the 57th minute as Emre Can fouled Riyad Mahrez inside the box with a clumsy challenge. But Gregor Kobel parried Mahrez’s spot-kick to save the midfielder’s blushes and preserve his side’s clean sheet.
Next. Player ratings from Borussia Dortmund's goalless draw against Manchester City. dark
Both teams were happy to settle for a share of the spoils in the end. And the game ended all square, with Manchester City going to the round of 16 as Group G winners and Borussia Dortmund as runners-up.