MANCHESTER – The UEFA Champions League completed matchday 2 of group stage this week, while Manchester City defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the focused match.
The City fell behind 0-1 with a goal from away team’s Jude Bellingham in the 56th minute, while John Stones equalised the score with a fantastic world class long shot.
The Sky Blues top striker Erling Haaland becoming the hero again, with an epic one touch shot in the 84’, helped the home team complete a thrilling comeback to collect three points.
Haaland, who served for Dortmund in the last two seasons, didn’t show any excitement or happy celebrating after his goal, as to give respect to his former club.
After the victory, Man City stood at top of Group G with six points, while Dortmund at second place with three points, Copenhagen and Sevilla followed behind with one point each.
The English giant club which had been treated as the most favourite of UCL champions this season, kept marching with stable and strong performance. They are now standing at second place in EPL, but had expected to take over the leading Arsenal in no longer time.
The Invincible Norwegian
Haaland continued to show his ability of scoring and identity as a top class attacker, as he had scored 13 goals in eight matches of this season, including 10 in the English Premier League and 3 in the UCL.
The super efficiency has made the Norwegian as top favourite of the Golden Boot winner of both Premier League and Champions League this season.
Some more, he could have more time to rest and reserve his stamina for the matches after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which he will be absent as Norway national team has been disqualified from the tournament.
After the game, Haaland said in the interview that he is excited to meet with his former teammates from the German club.
“I am glad to see everyone. They all did well. I expect that they will focus on me, because the Dortmund coach is understanding me.”
Hummels: Haaland is Unstoppable
Meanwhile, in the interview after the match, Borussia German defender Mats Hummels said that Haaland is “unstoppable”.
“The goal is impossible to be guarded. We don’t have to argue about this. Haaland is Haaland.”
Meanwhile, City’s head coach Pep Guardiola compared Haaland’s score with the classical goal by Dutch legend Johan Cruijff, during the match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid a few decades ago.
“The goal was fantastic. I remember that many years ago, Cruijff had scored a world class goal with similar action. Haaland is now paying tribute to him. That’s very nice.”
Pep had also mentioned Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is another giant striker from Sweden, as both of them have similar ability and skills.
“Both of them are tall enough, but are able to put their legs onto the ceiling.”