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Haaland faces former club Dortmund back to his terrifying best
As Erling Haaland prepares to face his old side Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium, a sense of inevitability hangs over the encounter.
After moving from Dortmund to Manchester City in 2022, Haaland faces the club with whom he first announced himself as a global phenomenon – only this time with renewed menace and maturity.
Haaland arrived at City with explosive promise, and while his first two seasons vindicated every expectation, 2024-25 marked a slight dip – for his standards.
With 34 goals in all competitions, it was officially his lowest return since joining the club. That total remains far beyond the reach of most top strikers, yet for someone whose benchmark had been notably higher, it hinted at something needing recalibration.
Now, as City head into their group-phase tie against Dortmund, Haaland is back to terrifying form. He has already amassed 13 Premier League goals in just nine matches in 2025-26, with one assist to add to the damage inflicted on opponents.
Meanwhile, his Champions League outings have produced four goals from three appearances thus far, underscoring his ability to strike when the stakes are highest. Combined, these figures signal that the Norwegian scoring cyborg is once again operating at literally machine-like efficiency.Carl Recine/Getty Images
What is especially striking about Haaland’s resurgence is not just the volume of his goals but how he is producing them. His movement, timing and positional sense are sharper than ever. He is once again decisive, ruthlessly clinical and present in the big moments.
The context of this particular match adds further weight. Facing the club where he flourished under the bright lights of the Bundesliga, Haaland will be driven not just by the global narrative but by the personal one too.
Imago Images
Dortmund will naturally aim to contain him, yet they must also attack a City side that is sharper, hungrier and more ruthless in transition than at any point in the last season. In that sense, Haaland is not just a threat through individual brilliance – he is the focal point of a side that has adapted itself around his strengths.
Pep Guardiola’s assessment encapsulates the mood inside City. “Erling has been incredible from the start but this season he is better than ever,” he said, before adding his belief that we may be witnessing his greatest form yet.
With the stakes high, the spotlight bright and the opponent familiar, Haaland’s role in this fixture is clear. This is more than a reunion – it is a statement.
Haaland has rediscovered the peak confidence that once made him almost unstoppable. Against Dortmund at the Etihad, he looks poised to remind the world exactly why he is among football’s most feared strike-forces.
If City are to advance, it may well be thanks to the man they signed from this very opponent – now revitalised, recharged and irrepressible.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 4
Tuesday 4 November
- Napoli vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Slavia Prague vs Arsenal
- Atletico Madrid vs Union-SG
- Bodo/Glimt vs Monaco
- Juventus vs Sporting
- Liverpool vs Real Madrid
- Olympiakos vs PSV
- PSG vs Bayern Munich
- Tottenham vs Copenhagen
Wednesday 5 November
- Pafos vs Villarreal
- Qarabag vs Chelsea
- Ajax vs Galatasaray
- Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Club Brugge vs Barcelona
- Inter Milan vs Kairat
- Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund
- Marseille vs Atalanta
- Newcastle United vs Atletico Bilbao
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How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high-definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, offering differing selections of sports in each. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
