Dortmund Prepares for City Clash
Unusual Preparation for City
Manchester City is getting ready for their upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund in a different way. Instead of a training session, coach Pep Guardiola decided to give his players a day off. This decision is not common, but Guardiola believes it can be beneficial.
Guardiola's Thoughts on Training
Guardiola explained that he prefers to let the players rest sometimes. He mentioned that after a tough match against AFC Bournemouth, where City won 3:1, it was better for the players to stay home and recharge. They only learned about this decision on Monday.
Dortmund's Advantage
In contrast, Borussia Dortmund has had a solid week of preparation. Nico Schlotterbeck is back in the squad after missing the last match due to a cold. Coach Niko Kovač had to adjust his defense in Schlotterbeck's absence, but the team managed to secure a 1-0 victory against FC Augsburg. Dortmund's defense has been impressive this season, with six clean sheets in nine league matches.
Brandt's Absence
However, Julian Brandt will not be available for the match against City. He is dealing with muscular problems and has been training individually. Brandt was in the starting lineup against Augsburg but could not make a significant impact.
Champions League Challenge
Both teams have collected seven points in their previous three Champions League matches. Managing director Lars Ricken noted that facing City is one of the biggest challenges in European football. National player Pascal Groß added that playing against City is at a level similar to Bayern Munich.
Recent Form
Dortmund's unbeaten start to the 2025/26 campaign was ended by Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, but they have bounced back with four consecutive wins since then. Their recent 4-2 victory against Copenhagen in the Champions League showcased their attacking strength, with Serhou Guirassy scoring his seventh goal of the season.
City's Recent Performance
Manchester City also comes into this match with confidence, having won five of their last six games. However, they trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by six points and will be looking to close that gap with a strong performance against Dortmund.
