Last season, Manchester City faltered by losing four crucial points in their home Champions League matches. This was a significant factor in their underwhelming campaign, so when Pep Guardiola emphasized the significance of these fixtures, his urgency was unmistakable.

With two home victories secured, along with a win and a draw on the road, City is now on the brink of advancing to the knockout rounds. Triumphs against Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium should solidify their place in the top eight, thereby bypassing the need for a playoff.

Phil Foden’s brace, coupled with Erling Haaland’s 27th goal of the season, sank Borussia Dortmund. The fans celebrated with a banner reading “Erling The Great,” depicting the striker as a Viking. Guardiola likely appreciated the team’s performance, though a late push from Dortmund brought back memories of last year’s unsettling defeat to Feyenoord.

Foden’s finishes were nothing short of spectacular, and Thomas Tuchel would be remiss not to reintegrate him into the fold when the new England squad is revealed on Friday morning.

Pep Guardiola pressed home the importance of City’s Champions League matches at the Etihad after their lax displays last term

Phil Foden bagged a brace and delivered a performance he’ll hope will grab the attention of England boss Thomas Tuchel

The Cityzens all but guaranteed their place in the knockout stages of the competition with a resounding 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund

Nico upends Dortmund’s strategy

There looked to be a very specific spot Dortmund planned to exploit when they countered, especially in the opening moments. And that was playing on Nico Gonzalez, attempting to isolate the holding midfielder. Gonzalez needed to earn the right to make City tick, Marcel Sabitzer trying to pick the Spaniard’s pocket.

City’s No 14 came through with no real problems and started dictating their build up, piercing balls through the lines, and that is a continuation of his positive arc in recent weeks that is really masking the injury problem Guardiola is having.

Rodri wasn’t in the matchday squad again, just days after returning to the bench, in what is fast becoming a season of true misery for the former Ballon d’Or winner. Guardiola says he doesn’t feel ‘perfect’ while also insisting the setback is not serious but City will need to take another look at how they manage Rodri from here.

The 29-year-old has made eight appearances so far this term and missed eight games through fitness issues. These have been interspersed throughout the opening three months of the season and there has come a suggestion that Rodri may have rushed himself back for the Club World Cup over the summer. He will know that this needs to be handled with care from now on.

Gonzalez’s performances undoubtedly buy City some time in that regard. That he completed eight recoveries in the first half, City going in two goals up, tells the story of somebody who is more in tune with his defensive responsibilities than ever before.

Nico Gonzalez’s performances undoubtedly buy City some time as they look to get Rodri back to his former self 

A pure shot stopper thriving in pressure moments  

Gianluigi Donnarumma is certainly a bit different, a departure between the sticks for City, and – despite the groaning from home fans at him not catching a high ball before half time – offers a feeling of safety.

They will miss Ederson in certain aspects, even if Donnarumma is more adept with his feet than given credit for, but what the Italian offers is that additional level of security.

Proof of this came six minutes before the break. Donnarumma had nothing to do until that point, still alert to smartly prevent Karim Adeyemi with the visitors’ only shot on target before half-time.

By the time Waldemar Anton had netted a consolation from a quick free-kick, Donnarumma had also expertly saved from Serhou Guirassy. A pure shot stopper thriving in pressure moments should be something that gives teams an edge in the latter stages of this competition. This seemingly comfortable win could have taken a rather different complexion without him.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is certainly a bit different, a departure between the sticks for Man City

Despite scaring scaring and disorientating defender, 21-year-old Savinho still leaves you wanting more

Lively Savinho still lacks final touch 

One guy stood alone towards the bottom of the Colin Bell stand around 40 minutes before kick-off, draped in an Atletico Mineiro flag. Here to watch Savinho, presumably on a one-off trip and those who follow the Brazilian’s career closely will know there are a few gears he has left to go through.

The 21-year-old’s brief cameo during Sunday’s victory over Bournemouth was one to forget, a reel of mistakes, so this vote of confidence by Guardiola in starting the winger had to be repaid.

That he threatened is unquestionable. He scares and disorientates defenders and Daniel Svensson was shown up on a number of occasions – especially when booked for scything him down when clean through.

He does leave you wanting more though. Although flagged offside, Savinho ballooning a half-volley over the bar from six yards drew groans. And when flying down the right, slipped in by Foden, his centre for Haaland was not delivered with enough purpose. He didn’t keep his head over a volley from a Foden cross later on.

A difficult player to gauge sometimes: dangerous without inflicting enough regular pain on the opposition. Compare that to Rayan Cherki, on the pitch for 11 minutes and ends up scoring the fourth.