Football: Win over Dortmund crucial to City hopes

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Football: Win over Dortmund crucial to City hopes

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City suffered a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their opening game.

02 October,2012 12:23 pm

Manchester City may only be heading into their second Champions League game of the season but Roberto Mancinis sides clash with Dortmund may prove hugely significant for both.City suffered a 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in their opening game despite taking the lead twice in the Bernabeu.This is only their second Champions League campaign after failing to get beyond the group stage last season.They only collected one point from their opening two matches a year ago and were always playing catch-up to Bayern Munich and Napoli.Twelve months ago they drew their opening home game 1-1 with Napoli before slipping to a 2-0 defeat in Munich, where Carlos Tevez refused to come off the bench.Mancini, who has admitted he considered a move for Dortmunds Poland striker Robert Lewandowski in the summer, will be desperate to be in a better position after two games this time around but they will face a stiff test against the German champions.Dortmund collected three points with a late 1-0 win over Ajax in their opening game.Mancini concedes that Wednesday nights match, which comes before a double-header against Ajax, who are rated as the groups relative weak links, will be key to his teams hopes of reaching the knock-out phase.The Italian said: The group is very difficult. We didnt start too well because we lost against Real Madrid and for this reason it is important to play well against Dortmund.It will probably be a similar game (to Napoli) because Dortmund are very good on the counter attack and it will be a difficult game.But we want to go through to the second stage this year and this game will be very important.Mancini is adamant that his team have learnt the lessons from last seasons campaign but is sure that if they can match their previous tally of 10 points it will be enough to progress.The 2-1 win at Fulham on Saturday - their first away victory of the campaign - at least kept them in touch in the Premier League although they remain four points adrift of leaders Chelsea after a fitful start to the campaign.Maicon remains doubtful with an ankle problem, while fellow defender Micah Richards is also unlikely to be risked as he has not featured this season due to a similar injury.Jack Rodwell is also struggling with a groin problem and is doubtful to face the German side.Jurgen Klopps Dortmund, who managed just four points in the group stage last year, have also endured a patchy opening to the season.While Mancini was rowing with Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert during his teams 4-2 Capital One Cup defeat, Klopp was being sent to the stands for arguing with the fourth official in his teams 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.But they picked up an impressive 5-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend.Although that victory moved them up to third in the Bundlesliga they are already seven points off leaders Bayern Munich.Germany defender Mats Hummels believes Dortmunds success at the weekend could still be a turning point in the season ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium.A win like this certainly gives you more self-confidence for your next game, Hummels said.We have a really tough task to come with (Manchester) City, but we are all looking forward to it.Of course we are going to try and keep our discipline, but also to take some courage out of the (Monchengladbach) game.It was vitally important that we won and that we kept a clean sheet - and that we shook off a few insecurities.