Manchester City faces Borussia Dortmund this Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in the fourth round of the UEFA Champions League league stage. The match takes place at 5pm (Brasília time) at the Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, England. Both teams are looking for points to improve their positions in the table, with City in ninth place and Dortmund in eighth, each with seven points.
Coach Pep Guardiola confirmed Manchester City’s starting line-up in 4-3-3, focusing on the attack led by Erling Haaland. On the German side, Niko Kovač opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity. Exclusive transmission in Brazil is on the HBO Max platform.
The refereeing is in charge of the Polish Szymon Marciniak, known for his rigidity in European games. Expectations surround Rodri’s return to City’s midfield after suspension, while Dortmund deal with injury absences.
Manchester City tactical formation
Manchester City lines up its defense with Ederson in goal, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol in the four. In midfield, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva haverun the game, while Phil Foden, Haaland and Jeremy Doku form the attacking trio.
This configuration allows for quick transitions, with Haaland acting as a central reference. Guardiola adjusted his team after the recent Premier League draw, aiming to exploit the flanks against Dortmund.
- Rodri reinforces the marking and distribution of balls.
- De Bruyne takes over creating decisive plays.
- Haaland averages 1.2 goals per game in the UCL.
Borussia Dortmund starting lineups
Gregor Kobel defends Dortmund’s goal, protected by a line of three defenders: Nico Schlotterbeck, Mats Hummels and Ramy Bensebaini. Julian Ryerson and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens play on the wings, with Emre Can and Marcel Sabitzer in the center.
The attack has Karim Adeyemi and Jamie Gittens behind Serhou Guirassy, looking for speed in counterattacks. Kovač confirmed the changes to compensate for injuries, maintaining a balance between defense and offensive projection.
Guirassy, with a technical rating of 84, leads the German offensive sector. The German team accumulates 2.1 corners per game in the competition.
Featured players in the clash
Erling Haaland represents Manchester City’s main threat, with an overall rating of 85 in attacking attributes in the last match. The Norwegian has scored five goals in the Champions League so far, overcoming opposing defenses with physical strength andpositioning.
Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy responds with 84 in offensive technique, registering three assists in the European season. The Guinean stands out in aerial duels, with a 68% success rate.
Other names include Phil Foden, rated 77 for tactics, and Marcel Sabitzer, rated 58 for chance creation. These players set the rhythm of the midfield.
The rivalry between Haaland and Guirassy promises intense duels in the area. Statistics show that City dominate possession in 62% of UCL home games.
Absences and replacements available
Manchester City are without Mateo Kovačić, who has a knee injury, which forces Bernardo Silva to take on more responsibilities. Rodri returns, but Nathan Aké and Rico Lewis remain as options on the bench.
At Dortmund, Julien Duranville and Niklas Süle are out due to muscle problems, while Julian Brandt is recovering from surgery. Substitutions include Felix Nmecha and Donyell Malen to reinforce the attack.
These losses change the tactical planning, with City opting for greater depth on the bench. Dortmund plans entries in the second half to exploit opponent fatigue.
- Kovačić: out with a knee injury.
- Süle: muscle absence confirmed.
- Brandt: post-surgical recovery in progress.
Gaming Strategies and Retrospecto
Pep Guardiola prioritizes ball possession and high pressing, with an average of 65% dominance in the last five European games. City have won three of their last home matches in the Champions League, scoring 10 goals.
Niko Kovač bets on quick transitions, exploiting Adeyemi’s speed, who registers 2.3 dribbles per match. Dortmund drew both away games in the competition, conceding just three goals.
The history between the teams shows balance, with City winning the last meeting 2-1 in 2023. Both formations tested in training indicate a focus on set pieces.
Where to watch the game live
The match will be broadcast exclusively on HBO Max from 4:30 pm, with pre-game including tactical analysis. The platform offers high definition streaming for mobile devices and smart TVs.
Users in Brazil access the service with a monthly subscription, covering all games in the league phase. Features include multiple cameras and real-time statistics.
Alternative options include official UEFA apps for live updates. Complete coverage guarantees unrestricted access during the 90 minutes.
