Manchester Metropolis moved into the highest eight of the Champions League league section with a complete 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola described the sport in opposition to Dortmund as huge within the race for qualification to the knockout phases as they appear to keep away from having an additional recreation within the play-off spherical by securing a top-eight end.
Final season, the play-off spherical was the place their competitors ended by the hands of Actual Madrid, however Metropolis look on the right track to keep away from that this season after Phil Foden’s double, Erling Haaland’s 18th aim of the season and substitute Rayan Cherki’s late aim condemned Dortmund to only their second defeat of the season.
‘Foden again to his greatest’
Haaland’s excellent kind was all of the discuss within the build-up to going through his former facet, nevertheless it was Foden who grabbed the headlines as Metropolis overcame the Bundesliga outfit on the Etihad Stadium.
The 25-year-old firmly enhanced his declare for an England recall as he struck two stunning finishes both facet of yet one more Haaland effort to place himself firmly within the image for Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad for subsequent week’s remaining World Cup qualifiers in opposition to Serbia and Albania.
Foden’s two finishes have been chic. He was again to his good greatest.
Guardiola described Foden as being again to his greatest.
“I would say it [Foden’s best form] is already there,” he mentioned to TNT Sports activities. “He scored some unbelievable objectives and what number of instances have we seen that from Phil, the generosity of effort but additionally within the remaining third.
“We missed it a lot and I’m pleased other players scored goals and not just Haaland. Thomas [Tuchel] knows how good Phil is and I’m sure he will do the best for England.”
As ever, Haaland wasn’t to be completely outshined as he lashed dwelling Jeremy Doku’s cross to take his tally for membership and nation this season to a staggering 27 objectives from 17 appearances and his general Champions League complete to 54 from 52.
Dortmund rallied briefly as Anton made it 3-1 when he turned in Julian Ryerson’s cross from a set-piece, however Metropolis completed strongly and Rayan Cherki added a late fourth as victory lifted Guardiola’s to 10 factors after 4 video games of the league section. placing them on the right track for snug progress to the knockout phases.
Guardiola: Win places us in place
Manchester Metropolis head coach Pep Guardiola to TNT Sports activities:
“For the first 10 or 15 minutes, we didn’t know where we were. But after that, it was better.
“We had 10 unhealthy minutes and for 10 or quarter-hour after we conceded, it wasn’t good as a result of they pushed, they put 5, six, seven gamers up entrance. However after going to 5 on the again, we may arrive higher and we completed the sport with aim.
“Huge respect for these players and we’re in a good position. If we can make another one or two victories, maybe we can get close to finishing in the first eight.”
‘Taking part in like that, Metropolis might be a pressure’
Former Man Metropolis defender Danny Mills on Soccer Particular:
“Foden’s two finishes were sublime. He was back to his brilliant best.
“It was a really skilled efficiency from Manchester Metropolis.
“If they can continue in that vein and get Rodri back into the team as well, they will be a force.
“There are nonetheless one or two frailties, nevertheless it was a assured show from Guardiola’s workforce.”
Story of the match in stats
Metropolis’s tremendous dwelling kind continues…
Man Metropolis have now received 20 and misplaced none of their final 23 dwelling group stage/league section video games within the UEFA Champions League (D3), with 16 of these wins coming by a margin of two+ objectives.
Metropolis have received 11 of their final 12 video games on the Etihad Stadium in all competitions (L1), together with their final six in a row, all by 2+ objectives – their longest dwelling profitable run with all by two or extra objectives since Could 2023 (9).
With a median age of 25 years and 53 days, Metropolis named their youngest Champions League beginning XI since December 2020 away to FC Porto (24y 358d).
Borussia Dortmund have now misplaced seven of their final eight UEFA Champions League video games away to English Premier League golf equipment, conceding at the least twice in all seven of these losses.
