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Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores the decisive 2-1 win over Dortmund with a 'kung fu' jump
Photo: IMAGO/Colorsport
Manchester City's stadium was quiet before the game.
No music, out of respect for the Queen's death, not even the Champions League anthem was played.
After the event, there was the usual program.
With the final whistle, »Wonderwall« by Oasis sounded.
"Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me," says the chorus.
The song dates from 1995, Erling Haaland wasn't born then, but the lyrics suit the Norwegian striker.
He had saved Manchester City's win against his ex-employer Borussia Dortmund, not just maybe, but definitely, and in spectacular fashion.
In the 84th minute, he converted an outside instep cross from João Cancelo with a 'kung fu' jump almost with his back to the goal from close range to make it 2-1.
Like Johan Cruyff once did
Haaland's teammate Rodri threw his hands up in disbelief, and coach Pep Guardiola afterwards drew comparisons to Zlatan Ibrahimović and Johan Cruyff, who he admired.
He scored a similar goal against Atlético Madrid in 1973.
In the end, the game between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund was what many observers had expected, namely the evening of Erling Haaland.
But the road to get there was difficult.
The guests defended passionately and disciplined and even deservedly took the lead in the 56th minute through the outstanding Jude Bellingham.
Manchester City needed until the 80th minute for the first shot on goal, but it then found its way straight into the net.
John Stones shot from almost 20 meters, an act of desperation against the black and yellow wall, but Dortmund goalkeeper Alexander Meyer, who replaced the injured Gregor Kobel, misjudged and let the shot pass.
Four minutes later it was Haaland who crowned the event with the 2-1.
The goal could possibly have been avoided if Emre Can had attacked Cancelo as a crosser, as Mats Hummels suggested in the Dazn interview.
However, when the ball was with Haaland, the Dortmund defensive no longer had a chance.
"Not many players in this world score that goal," marveled coach Edin Terzić: "In the past few years, we've benefited from him scoring goals like that for us.
It's very sad that he did it for the opposing team today."
The spectacular nature of the goal gave the spectators the feeling of having witnessed a special spectacle, but it was not surprising that Haaland was the decisive man.
That's almost always been the case since his move to Manchester City in the summer.
After beating Dortmund, he has 13 goals in nine games (including the English Supercup) for the new club.
'This guy will break every goal record there is.
He's too big, too fast, cold in front of goal and he's playing in a team that creates dozens of chances," former England striker Michael Owen said recently.
Where dozens of chances against Dortmund were not necessary.
With a striker like Haaland, there are few opportunities to win.
City have been playing more directly since Haaland's arrival
Manchester City's game has changed with his arrival, it has become more varied.
So far, the English champions have not had a real centre-forward, but have operated with what is known as a false nine.
Goals were usually scored by the team patiently passing the ball back and forth in the opponent's penalty area until a gap opened up in the defense.
With Haaland, Manchester City plays more directly.
His strength is running behind the defence.
His team-mates, such as Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, keep looking for him with through passes from midfield.
In addition, with his size and athleticism, Haaland is a weapon for crosses to the six-yard box, as his 2-1 win against Dortmund showed.
The striker is said to be the crucial piece in the puzzle for Manchester City to finally win the Champions League, but his arrival also brings risks.
Because of the more direct presentation, a pinch of chaos entered the Manchester City game.
Because the team is increasingly trying vertical passes to Dortmund, which do not always succeed, Manchester City invites the opponent to counterattack.
That was less the case against Dortmund because the guests were so deep that through balls were not an option in most situations.
City hasn't found its strategy yet
In the Premier League, however, Manchester City has gotten themselves into trouble several times due to their more daring style of play.
The team fell two goals behind against Newcastle United (3:3) and Crystal Palace (4:2).
That's not strategy.
For coach Guardiola, control remains the greatest asset.
The challenge this season is to capitalize on Haaland's strengths without sacrificing the assets that have defined Manchester City's game in recent years.
And if, like against Dortmund, it's difficult to create chances, then the attacker is still capable of goals that are reminiscent of Ibrahimović and Cruyff.