Dortmund 0-0 Man City: Guardiola's men are bound to draw but still secure top spot in Group G
Man City and Borussia Dortmund qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 after an uneventful goalless draw on Tuesday night.
City came closest to scoring after the break, but Riyad Mahrez's penalty was saved. This draw keeps them undefeated and also secures them first place in Group G.
Dortmund had chances going forward in the first half and they intended to keep a clean sheet in the second half. They too are qualified for the round of 16.
Guardiola gave goalkeeper Stefan Ortega his club debut and England defender John Stones returned to action for the first time in seven games after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden also returned to the starting lineup, while Ederson, Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji and Aymeric Laporte were all rested.
>With Man City already assured of their place in the knockout stage and one point enough to see Dortmund through, the opening exchanges lacked any real pace.
City goalkeeper Ortega made his first save with his legs in the 16th minute when Karim Adeyemi stayed wide to run for goal.
Adeyemi was instrumental again as Dortmund began to stretch City's back four, first picking Giovanni Reyna on the left edge of the area after a smooth move, but the curling effort from the latter was well held by Ortega.
German striker Adeyemi then produced an excellent low cross into the path of Youssoufa Moukoko, who let the ball pass through him before taking a side step.
Teen striker Moukoko again combined with Adeyemi and forced Ortega to another save.
City had 66 per cent possession in the first half but never bothered Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel, with Nathan Ake's commanding header from Phil Foden's free-kick just before the break flying at the above the crossbar.
Erling Haaland had little chance of making an impact against his former club and was replaced at the break by Bernardo Silva, with Manuel Akanji in place of Joao Cancelo.
Dortmund were the first to threaten after the restart when Jude Bellingham failed to connect properly with his shot inside the box before City missed the chance to take the lead after receiving a penalty in the 57th minute.
Mahrez fell under Emre Can's reckless challenge, but the City winger's kick was comfortably saved by Kobel, much to the delight of the home crowd.
City continued to dominate the ball and began to pose a bigger threat as Alvarez's first volley was saved well by Kobel.
But with enough scoring to get both teams through, there was little urgency in the closing stages, with neither team creating any further chances.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland… The ridiculous stats after his half-decent start to Premier League life
Man City and Borussia Dortmund qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 after an uneventful goalless draw on Tuesday night.
City came closest to scoring after the break, but Riyad Mahrez's penalty was saved. This draw keeps them undefeated and also secures them first place in Group G.
Dortmund had chances going forward in the first half and they intended to keep a clean sheet in the second half. They too are qualified for the round of 16.
Guardiola gave goalkeeper Stefan Ortega his club debut and England defender John Stones returned to action for the first time in seven games after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Nathan Ake, Ilkay Gundogan, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden also returned to the starting lineup, while Ederson, Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji and Aymeric Laporte were all rested.
>With Man City already assured of their place in the knockout stage and one point enough to see Dortmund through, the opening exchanges lacked any real pace.
City goalkeeper Ortega made his first save with his legs in the 16th minute when Karim Adeyemi stayed wide to run for goal.
Adeyemi was instrumental again as Dortmund began to stretch City's back four, first picking Giovanni Reyna on the left edge of the area after a smooth move, but the curling effort from the latter was well held by Ortega.
German striker Adeyemi then produced an excellent low cross into the path of Youssoufa Moukoko, who let the ball pass through him before taking a side step.
Teen striker Moukoko again combined with Adeyemi and forced Ortega to another save.
City had 66 per cent possession in the first half but never bothered Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel, with Nathan Ake's commanding header from Phil Foden's free-kick just before the break flying at the above the crossbar.
Erling Haaland had little chance of making an impact against his former club and was replaced at the break by Bernardo Silva, with Manuel Akanji in place of Joao Cancelo.
Dortmund were the first to threaten after the restart when Jude Bellingham failed to connect properly with his shot inside the box before City missed the chance to take the lead after receiving a penalty in the 57th minute.
Mahrez fell under Emre Can's reckless challenge, but the City winger's kick was comfortably saved by Kobel, much to the delight of the home crowd.
City continued to dominate the ball and began to pose a bigger threat as Alvarez's first volley was saved well by Kobel.
But with enough scoring to get both teams through, there was little urgency in the closing stages, with neither team creating any further chances.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland… The ridiculous stats after his half-decent start to Premier League life
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