Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund – The Opposition

Manchester City welcome Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League quarter final first leg. The blues are looking to reach the semi-final of the competition for only the second time in their history, and could face another German side in the form of Bayern Munich should both teams progress.

The blues have fallen at the quarter final stage in the last three seasons, but face a Dortmund side that are battling to secure Champions League football next season.

Form

Dortmund have been one of the Bundesliga top sides in recent years, but despite Erling Braut Haaland leading the line, Dortmund have struggled in the Bundesliga by their standards.

The team currently lie in fifth position in the league, seven points behind Eintracht Frankfurt who currently occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot. Dortmund have lost ten matches this season, higher than any team in the top six and have conceded 39 times, again the highest number in the top six.

Of their last 12 matches in all competitions, Dortmund have won 6, lost 3 and drawn 3, including a 4-2 defeat at Bayern Munich after leading 2-0. From their last five league games, they have won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1.

In the last Champions League round, Dortmund put out Sevilla, winning the away leg 3-2 and drawing the home leg 2-2 to set up the tie with City

Danger Men

It goes without saying that Haaland is the main danger from Dortmund. The Norwegian striker has scored 31 goals form 28 matches, and has had a total of 83 shots so far this season. His goal conversion rate stands at 37% with a shot accuracy of 64%, the highest in the team. If City are to progress, keeping Haaland quiet will be their main aim.

Jadon Sancho has 8 goals from 27 matches, but is the assist king in the Dortmund side. The former City man has 12 assists so far this season and has created 60 chances. His total completed passes of 1,144 from 1372 attempted is Dortmund’s third highest, behind Raphael Guerreirowith 1,691 completed from 1932 attempted and Emre Can, 1,423 from 1,638 attempted. Of the regular Dortmund players, only Haaland has a pass accuracy of less than 81% (71%).

Who’s The Boss?

Edin Terzic is the man currently at the Dortmund helm. He was previously the assistant manager of the club until manager Lucien Favre was dismissed in December. Terzic took over and from 22 games played since, his team has won 11, giving him a 50% win ratio.

Previous Encounters

City have met Dortmund in the Champions League group stage back in 2012. That campaign was a dismal one for the blues and they managed a 1-1 draw with the German side, before losing 1-0 in the return leg in Germany.