Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm loving it. I just need to play with a smile on my face, which I'm doing. Last year was tough, not just for myself but for everyone.

"There is a new togetherness this season and you can tell. Today, Dortmund caused us some problems, they are a great team, but we stuck to the plan and broke them down with our talent up front."

On the change from last season: "You learn a lot from it when you go through a tough patch. We have great captains in our team and we speak about how we can get back on track, and we've added great players to the squad as well and that's brought real hunger and togetherness.

"It was just about trying to be the team we used to be and this season we are seeing glimpses of that."

On if City enjoy the chase of hunting down rivals in the Premier League and Champions League: "It's obviously easier to be on top, but if you're not then it's about finding a different way to win. This year especially, going to the likes of Arsenal away, the defensive structure is a lot better. Last year we would have conceded more goals than that. When things aren't going right we stick together as a team and see it out."

On his first goal: "I was surprised how much space I got. I found myself in space at the right time and I just got my head up. I used the defender to try and put it around him so the goalkeeper couldn't see."

On his second goal: "Again, I was in the pockets checking my shoulder and looking to get on the back foot. Once I got on the back foot I was trying to find space. I was scanning and already knew what I was going to do before I got the ball because I knew where the defenders were. I like that finish, receiving it on the back foot and then getting the shot away."

On whether people are overlooking City this season: "I'm not sure. If they are, it doesn't really bother us. We just have to focus on ourselves and keep putting points on the board. As I said, the togetherness goes a long way."

Did you know?

• Since the start of 2023-24, Phil Foden has scored 11 goals from outside the box for Manchester City in all competitions, the most of any player for Premier League clubs in this time. Wednesday night was his 64th Champions League, but the first in which he scored more than once.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Manchester City make three changes from Sunday's win over Bournemouth.

John Stones, Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho come into the side with Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rayan Cherki dropping out.

Star striker Erling Haaland takes the captain's armband against his old club.

Man City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Reijnders, Savinho, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

Borussia Dortmund give a start to former Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.

Ex-Sunderland man Jobe Bellingham, former Brighton midfielder Pascal Gross and ex-Wolves striker Fabio Silva are all on the bench for the Bundesliga side.

Borussia Dortmund XI: Kobel, Ryerson, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini, Svensson, Nmecha, Sabitzer, Adeyemi, Beier, Guirassy.

There are eight games in the Champions League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will be bringing you every moment.

• Pafos v Villarreal (17:45)

• Qarabag v Chelsea (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ajax v Galatasaray

• Benfica v Bayer Leverkusen

• Club Brugge v Barcelona

• Inter Milan v Kairat Almaty

• Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Marseille v Atalanta

• Newcastle v Athletic Club

All kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Qarabag v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Dortmund".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Erling Haaland has hogged Manchester City's goalscoring workload this season, so much so that their next top scorer in the Premier League is Burnley's Maxime Esteve, who scored two own goals at Etihad Stadium last month.

Manager Pep Guardiola has called for his wingers and midfielders to contribute more in front of goal, but ex-City defender Joleon Lescott feels while Haaland continues to find the net, there is little for his team-mates to be concerned about.

Lescott told BBC Sport: "Other teams have had goalscorers and team-mates may have needed to [score]. There is a question mark over others if they are needed, but if they aren't then why does it matter?

"As long as Manchester City are scoring and if them goals are Erling Haaland's then great. Everyone looks happy for him and he looks happy that the team are winning and playing well.

"There is a lot of emphasis on others not scoring but if you don't need it to happen then why should it be a focus?"

With 98 so far in 107 Premier League games, Haaland is closing in on becoming the fastest to reach a century of English top-flight goals.

Former England captain Alan Shearer set that mark at 124 games and leads the all-time league charts with 260.

"Does he do that? I don't know," Lescott replied when asked if the Norwegian will break Shearer's haul. "That is a lot of games and there is rotation now.

"Pep Guardiola tends to play Erling a lot and when competition starts to intensify at the back end of a season, he may have to sit down and he may not enjoy that but it may be the right thing for the team to win more trophies.

"He is still very hungry to become better, I don't know how that looks! He has been a prolific goalscorer all his career. When we talk about form, I think it is slightly harsh saying 'he is in form' because this is all he has ever done.

"He has scored at every level and he looks determined to score even more."

English sides are excelling in the Champions League.

Three wins out of three last night - all with clean sheets - maintained the early Champions League dominance by English sides as the league phase nears the halfway point.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham occupy one of the top-eight spots that guarantee automatic qualification for the last 16, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle all seeking to join – or replace – them by winning tonight.

English teams have averaged 2.3 points per game in the Champions League this season, far exceeding any of the other four nations that have three or more sides in the competition.

Success breeds success and England is currently well clear at the top of Uefa's co-efficient rankings. These are based on results across the three European competitions and determine which two leagues will earn an additional Champions League spot for next season.

It granted the Premier League a fifth spot last season - and currently England is in prime position to secure the same prize again this time around.

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City's Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will pit striker Erling Haaland against his old club.

Haaland spent three seasons at the Bundesliga club, scoring an astonishing 86 goals in 89 games and helping the club to win the German Cup in 2021.

He joined City in 2022 for £51.2m and has taken his game to another level. He has 17 goals for the club in all competitions this season.

"Our old team-mate Erling," former Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller told BBC Sport. "We know how important he is for Manchester City and what a great goalscorer.

"He was young when we bought him from RB Salzburg but was totally focused on his performances. He pushed the whole club and he is a smart guy on the pitch. I like him very much.

"We have great memories of him and he has a great family behind him. I wish him all the best... just not on Wednesday."

Asked whether Haaland or Bayern Munich's Harry Kane is the better striker, Weidenfeller said: "It is very complicated but we talk about Kylian Mbappe too and they are three amazing scorers.

"We are focused on Kane but all the strikers are amazing. The clubs are lucky to have them."

Listen to full commentary of Borussia Dortmund v Manchester City from 20:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live

Crystal Palace, Inter Milan and Juventus will compete for the signing of Manchester City's 30-year-old Netherlands defender Nathan Ake in January. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Image source, BBC/Studio Lambert

Challenges. Leaders and followers. Tactics. Second guessing and wondering where to turn next.

This could be any game of football in the Premier League this weekend.

It is also the plot to any episode of BBC's hit show - The Traitors.

The countdown to the end game of the Celebrity series is on, but, while we wait for that, we want to know which Manchester City player (or manager) - past or present - you think would make the best traitor, and who would be more suited to the role of a faithful.

Was it the way they could appear at the back post without anyone noticing? Or could they stop anybody getting past them?

Get in touch with your choices and the reasons why here

The Celebrity Traitors final will air on Thursday, 6 November on BBC One and iPlayer

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

However much you might attempt to look the other way, you can't ignore the fact that Manchester City's Erling Haaland is the biggest attraction in every way. The search is on for any new record he could break with his superhuman scoring.

My eyes start to glaze over when too many stats are used, so let's go straight to the top - can he score the most goals ever in a top-flight English season? That seems a reasonable ask for a superman and he has got 13 in 10 already.

In 1927-28, Everton's Dixie Dean scored 60 league goals, way ahead of the Norway international's best of 36 - the Premier League record.

If he scores 40 or more in the league this time that would be remarkable. With a fair wind and no injuries, that looks very likely at the moment.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has insisted that he is not thinking about breaking records despite his impressive start to the season.

The Norway striker faces his former side Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in the Champions League.

Haaland has 17 goals from 13 games this season, including 13 goals in 10 Premier League matches.

That brings his total in the Premier League to 98 goals - 162 behind the league's all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer.

But Haaland is not letting records distract him on the pitch.

"I have to ignore them. I don't really know any records but I know his Premier League one," Haaland said of Shearer's record mark.

"Again, it is not something I can think about. Thinking about records I can break is the last thing on my mind, I try to help the team win football games. That is my job and that is my main focus.

"I know it's boring, I know you want me to say the complete opposite but that's not how it is."

Haaland also spoke about his new partnership with summer signing Rayan Cherki, who provided assists for both of Haaland's goals against Bournemouth on Sunday.

The striker said: "He [Cherki] is a good guy with some amazing qualities as we can all see. In the end it is about playing football where we can get the best out of everyone on the pitch. It is the same with him.

"We need to help him in his free mind as a number 10 to pass the ball to me and the attacking players because he has this kind of special ability that is difficult to explain. A little bit like Kevin [De Bruyne] had where he can just pass someone through from wherever on the pitch.

"He is a special talent and we need to help him develop even more because he can be really good."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund at Etihad Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said his decision to give the players another day of rest on Tuesday and train on Wednesday morning is because it "was such a demanding game against Bournemouth" and the team will benefit more from extra rest.

• On Dortmund having an extra day to prepare: "We are used to it. Nobody is going to change the schedule. I don't like it but it is what it is."

• He said Wednesday's opponents "always perform their best" in the Champions League and "they always arrive in the later stages" of the competition so it will not be "an easy" game.

• In response to whether he feels better prepared for the new format this season: "Maybe I have not been clear enough. I have said a thousand, million times that it is not about being not prepared last season. Last season, we were injured. Fifty-percent of the squad were injured during that period when there are a lot of games."

• He said the period after the next international break is "demanding" and it is all about knowing how to "handle the intensity" because of fixture congestion. Guardiola added: "One decade I have been here, so I have been in this situation many times."

Follow all of Tuesday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City began their run of 14 games in 60 days in three different competitions with victory over in-form Bournemouth on Sunday.

This week in particular is a pretty testing one, but they were impressive against the Cherries as they warmed up for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, before hosting Liverpool in a huge Premier League game on Sunday.

Boss Pep Guardiola will speak to the media on Tuesday and may field questions around the importance of this competition having exited early - in the knockout play-off - last term.

Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Despite his age, faltering fitness record and a deterioration in ability to compete consistently for 90 minutes twice a week at the very highest level, Manchester City fans had every right to be concerned about where the creativity would come from in their squad when Kevin De Bruyne departed at the end of last season.

For many, there were three solutions being put forward: A promotion for Phil Foden into the creative heart of Pep Guardiola's midfield unit, or the signing of a blockbuster creator in either Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz or Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala.

Standing here in early November and neither of those options came to fruition. Had you have told some City supporters at the end of last season that this would be the case, there may have been some feeling of panic as to what the future would hold.

For Foden, City's star of their Academy production line has found himself being deployed centrally in midfield, inter-linking Nico Gonzalez's defensive vision to Rayan Cherki's advanced creator role. Pep Guardiola has spoken often about the challenge of starting both Foden and Cherki in the same line-up, but has he found the perfect solution?

The France international's quick-thinking to unleash Erling Haaland in-behind the Bournemouth defence on Sunday was the catalyst to victory, and it felt like somewhat of a breakthrough moment for the club to see a teammate of the Norwegian play the early and brave ball through to spark a one-versus-one scenario that would bring about two goals.

Cherki's eye on unlocking the Bournemouth defence was not only prevalent for those watching, but also in a statistical sense. He played five passes into the final third. The 22-year-old also only managed a pass success rate of 79% for passes attempted in the opponents' half. This was a player with one eye solely on making the difference. Remind you of anyone?

It is far too early to be making lofty comparisons to the great De Bruyne, but it is refreshing to see Manchester City have a player on their hands who is brave enough to attempt the early ball, and forge a new partnership with the club's inevitable goalscoring machine.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend says he will exercise "caution" in tipping Arsenal to run away with the Premier League title given there is a long way to go in the season.

Townsend delivered his view on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club and says Manchester City's form is also a factor.

But ex-Premier League keeper Shay Given explained he's struggling to see a weakness in Arsenal's game.

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A banner was raised at Etihad Stadium during Manchester City's win over Bournemouth on Sunday reading "Greed Over Loyalty" in reference to supporters having to relocate their seats because of the expansion in the north stand.

City said last month, external the introduction of a new bar space named City Hall in the stand will accommodate 500 fans for an "enhanced experience".

But the club also said a "small number" of season ticket members in level 0 of the stand "may need to move seats" before the start of the 2026-27 season.

City supporter Ian told BBC Sport: "Again, established season ticket holders being asked to move for so-called new fans that only go to matches because of recent success. Where were they 15 years ago?

"As one of those being asked to move, I remember City saying when we move from Maine Road you would sit with everyone you had made friends with. This is the second time in 15 years I've been asked to move. Seems to be typical of top-flight clubs these days. Loyal fans passed over for new money."

However, Charlie added: "I think the club gets way too much stick. They've put a load into improving the ground, and all the new bits they're adding show they're actually trying to make it better.

"People love to say it's all for the tourists, but all that helps us bring in the best players at the end of the day. It looks class, and the new bars are for the premium season ticket lads, which you can't really knock.

"It's not ideal that some fans have to move, but I think the club's handled it better this time. I'm looking forward to seeing it all when it's done."

City say they have directly contacted fans that have been affected and they have been offered the chance to choose any available general admission seat in the stadium. They will not need to pay more if they move to a more expensive location and will have the ability to move together in groups.

The 1894 fan's group said on X:, external "Greed Over Loyalty" - 500 supporters in the North Stand face losing their seats.

"Fans from that part of the ground want to have a meeting with the club."

Shamoon Hafez
Manchester City reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City full-back Nico O'Reilly is aiming for a call-up into the England squad for next summer's World Cup.

O'Reilly, 20, was named in the Three Lions squad for the first time during the October internationals, but is yet to make his debut for Thomas Tuchel's team.

He scored his first Premier League goal of the season in City's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, which helped Pep Guardiola's side up to second in the table.

"It was a great experience," said O'Reilly. "Being around the lads, obviously meeting Thomas. I am looking forward to looking at the World Cup and trying to get myself in that squad.

"I keep working hard, that is the whole thing - to go [to the World Cup]. Just work hard at the club, try and play as much as I can. That's all I can do, really."

City striker Erling Haaland scored twice against the Cherries to take his tally to 26 goals in a prolific campaign for club and country.

O'Reilly added: "He is a machine, so clinical. As long as we keep getting the ball there and he keeps taking them chances then we should be all right."

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Erling Haaland will be licking his lips at the prospect of linking up with Rayan Cherki in the future.

The Frenchman provided well-crafted assists for both of Haaland's goals against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Cherki scored himself against Wolves in the opening game, but has only recently returned to action following a six-week lay-off with a thigh injury.

"I know Erling, he knows me. When I play with him and he with me, it's very simple," said Cherki, who joined in the summer from Lyon. "My job is give the ball to Erling and he scores."

Their partnership against Bournemouth was an exciting sign of things to come for City's attack as opposition managers will now have to deal with Cherki's quality as well as trying to work out how to shackle Haaland.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said it was "almost impossible" to prepare against Haaland, adding: "He is amazing. When you press higher and concede the press at the back, he is super fast."

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "You run out of superlatives. People may criticise [Erling Haaland], saying that he doesn't involve himself in play enough.

"But he scores a ridiculous amount of goals and will go on to break all kinds of records - if he stays in the Premier League."

Ex-City goalkeeper Shay Given added: "Haaland has got aspirations of being the best striker in Premier League history, the best player in Norwegian history, and probably the best player in the world.

"The stuff he does off the pitch, he is the ultimate professional."

Read the full piece here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Man City and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Man City fans

Gene: A much better performance against a much better team with crisp, smart passing and better attacking. Rayan Cherki is getting more confident and showing creativity while Matheus Nunes has improved quite a lot as a right-back. They need to continue to build upon the teamwork and will gel as time goes on as the competition gets harder.

Anton: City will beat any team that come to play and not defend with a low block. My only gripe is poor set-pieces. They need a better set-piece coach.

Charlie: I thought the first-half performance by City was the best I've seen from them in 18 months.

Harry: There's nothing I can say about Erling Haaland that hasn't already been said. He makes me incredibly proud to be a Man City supporter and we have to cherish everything he does for us. Cherki is an absolute bargain and so unselfish - he's going to be a major asset. Besides the corner, Gianluigi Donnarumma was a stalwart in goal. So many positives but credit to Bournemouth, who were absolutely fearless at the Etihad and could have had more in the first half. Bring on Liverpool.

Bournemouth fans

Peter: Would have expected Veljko Milosavljevic to have started against Haaland as Bafode Diakite has already showed he struggles against big forwards like Jean-Philippe Mateta. Great to see Tyler Adams finally on the scoresheet, but Bournemouth will play better against Aston Villa next week. Now we have players back and the motivation to play better than we did against City, which was a tad disappointing. That shows how far this team has come.

M: It was OK. Some players were off it. We looked very open in defence and not much happened in attack. Antoine Semenyo had moments but was quiet. We need to be more aggressive going forward against teams like City.

Bob: Poor defensive tactics, why was Haaland given so much room?

Tim: Bournemouth's high line let Haaland in twice and injured Alex Jimenez was out of position for the third. However, there is so much to admire about Bournemouth. Upwards and onwards.

Pundits Michael Carrick and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 3-1 Newcastle - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City 3-1 Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Switzerland centre-back Manuel Akanji, 30, says it will be up to Inter Milan whether they want to turn his loan move from Manchester City into a permanent switch, but the Serie A club "seem happy" with him so far. (Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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