Alongside Phil Foden, Man City star with five successful dribbles was immense vs Dortmund
Manchester City surged to fourth in the Champions League table with a comfortable X-X victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Pep Guardiola made two changes from Man City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the weekend, including starts for John Stones and Savinho.
City unsurprisingly made a fast start to the game when Phil Foden opened the scoring with a sweeping finish before Erling Haaland slammed home the second, his 10th goal in seven games at the Etihad this term.
Foden’s performance in the number 10 position was a particular highlight after scoring an incredible second goal and proving a nuisance against Dortmund.
But it wasn’t just the 25-year-old who caught the eye, as Jeremy Doku tore apart Julien Ryerson on the left wing.
Jeremy Doku was electric vs Borussia Dortmund
Guardiola selected Doku for the third game running to start on the left wing, with the 23-year-old finally showing some consistency.
Doku was excellent for Man City against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup and continued his form at home to Bournemouth.
On Wednesday night, the Belgian was at his brilliant best in the Champions League, utilising his electric pace and elite-level dribbling to cause Ryerson nightmares.
Every time he picked up the ball, the fleet-footed winger looked like making something happen as he exploited the space created by Dortmund committing bodies forward and grabbed an assist for Haaland’s goal.
| Jeremy Doku’s stats vs Borussia Dortmund |
| 79 minutes played |
| 1 assist |
| 3 key passes |
| 5 successful dribbles |
| 10/15 ground duels won (67%) |
| 4 recoveries |
Doku was electric going forward, as delineated by the above table, but he was also efficient at tracking back for his team and protecting Nico O’Reilly.
Doku has improved his end product
A major criticism of the winger during his Manchester City has been his final ball, but as he continues to develop, so does his decision-making.
Alan Shearer noticed Doku’s improved end product at the end of September, and his development will please Guardiola.
“Haaland, I think, is benefitting from that. He’s pretty sharp again, I think that’s eight goals in six games. He’s flying. I think he’s benefitting from that,” Shearer said on the Rest Is Football podcast.
“Without doubt, there’s been a massive improvement, for me, in Doku this season.”
Doku’s impressive display against Dortmund just highlights the sheer quality Guardiola possesses in his forward line.