Erling Haaland haunts former club as Manchester City overcome Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund knew what to expect from Erling Haaland, he had plundered 86 goals in 89 appearances for them over a two and a half year period after all. It made no difference whatsoever. The Manchester City striker took his goal tally for his new club to a remarkable 13 in nine outings to condemn his old club to a cruel Champions League defeat after they had led through Jude Bellingham’s second-half header.

Haaland executed a superb acrobatic volley to convert an equally impressive cross from João Cancelo as Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from a passive first half and from falling behind to maintain their 100% start to the campaign. It followed an immaculately observed minute’s silence for Queen Elizabeth II.

Dortmund proved a more awkward assignment for the Premier League champions than last week’s 4-0 stroll in Sevilla, plus a test of patience for Haaland and those anticipating a continuation of the goal-machine’s prolific start in City colours. The centre forward was one of three former Dortmund players in City’s starting line-up alongside the captain Ilkay Gündogan and Manuel Akanji, making his first start since his recent £16.7m move. A fourth, Sergio Gómez, was on the bench.

Haaland regained possession several times, had a minor off-the-ball tussle with the former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, and helped himself to a drink from the visiting goalkeeper Alexander Meyer’s water bottle while awaiting a corner in the first half. But he did not get one sight of the Dortmund goal during a dull opening period. The striker was not alone in that regard.

Edin Terzic’s side stifled City comfortably in the first half, their midfield three helping to form a compact unit that was content to let Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish