Playing Manchester City is not easy – it has been established during this strange but captivating season. In fact, Pep Guardiola’s side has undoubtedly been the toughest team to play across Europe since the turn of the year.
And it is this fantastic team that Edin Terzic’s men must overcome to reach the Champions League semi-final. Borussia Dortmund got away from the Etihad after losing the first leg 2-1 – far from the end of the world – which means they need a 1-0 victory to see them through.
It will not be easy, simple or even likely. But Cityzens are not unbeatable – just ask Marcelo Bielsa. So, in order to significantly disrupt the odds, what does Dortmund need to do?
Well, let’s take a look.
Right, let’s start with the obvious: Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian may not have scored a goal in his last six for club and country, but two assists in his last two for BVB show that he can still contribute even when he does not score.
The striker’s presence alone will cause chaos for City’s backline, as it did in the first stage. He may need to play a selfless role at night and make sure to snap back and occupy at least one defender to create space and shooting opportunities for teammates – just as he did for Dortmund’s second in their 3-2 win over Stuttgart last time out (jump to 3:36 in the video above to watch).
Jude Bellingham will look to replicate his phenomenal performance in the first stage and really influence the game. He has to run forward to get the extra man and spark around the edge of the box (as he did in his last outing and secure his first Bundesliga goal), while bravely tracking back to help his holders in midfield and keep track of the City. midfielders – like Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Jude Bellingham scores his first goal in the Bundesliga!
Good driving to complete an impressive Dortmund move. pic.twitter.com/Y7CRizJb5I
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 10, 2021
Terzic’s slopes can also be the key to the battle. The Dortmund boss actually has some options for who will play in this position, and everyone can influence the procedures further up the pitch.
Anyone will need to bomb forward to overload large areas and give the edge tip an alternative for the overlap, especially considering how Gio Reyna and Thorgan Hazard like to drive infield.
As previously eluded to, the slopes can be important in creating goal scoring opportunities. But their biggest concern should be behind it. Throughout the campaign, BVB have been guilty of lack of focus and careless defense – things that will not be punished by Man City.
Emre Can comes in to finish the match Christian Kaspar-Bartke / Getty Images
Positioning and defensive awareness will be crucial when defending next to. Dortmund’s full-backs have to change their ways and push fast to get close to Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling and deny them any space or time – learn from Stuttgart’s opener last time (jump to 1:05 in previous video highlights to watch) .
In the meantime, players like Reyna will have to track down and surpass City’s wingers, eliminate overlaps (especially from Kyle Walker) and take care of what’s going on in the channels – especially making sure City’s midfield darts into the area become nothing.
Bellingham will play a role across the pitch. The teenager must also be prepared for late arrivals to the final third – pushing Rodri, denying him time to spread play and hitting the ball back from the Spaniard to start rashes could be a key component to a potential outrage.
Erling Haaland was in the spotlight, but Jude Bellingham shone brightest in Manchester ??
It’s time to get very excited about Dortmund’s English sensation! ? pic.twitter.com/4qGlTYSCDU
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 7, 2021
England international midfielders will also need to maintain full concentration for 90 minutes. As the broad defense progresses, it will be up to Thomas Delaney (the likely starter at midfield) to plug gaps and make sure City do not find places during the break. Mahmoud Dahoud, who started alongside the Dane this weekend, may not be as deep as his midfield partner but is expected to give a screen and slow down City breakouts as the side returns to its defensive lines.
These two must also sit close to the box to close off space and not give runners opportunities when their opponents want to deliver quality in the area.
There is no doubt that Dortmund can score goals and through a fantastic combination of Bellingham, Haaland and Reus they managed to score an away goal in the first match. With a hungry, attacking mindset from the start, you would expect BVB to take a step sometime during the match.
? Reus levels for Dortmund in Manchester # ️ # UCL pic.twitter.com/rv01qpHIFd
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 6 April 2021
But the most important area on the field is the defensive third. This Dortmund is simply not very good defensively, as evidenced by the fact that they have the worst defense in the Bundesliga’s top seven (41 were released in 28 matches).
What makes this even more worrying for Wednesday’s clash is not only what City have to offer offensively, but that a goal from the away team forces BVB to make three.
So while Terzic can understandably expect his men to create chances and take one or two, it is his defense that will have the biggest part to play – they must keep their visitors at bay.
Can they do that? Well, weirder things have happened in the Champions League.
