Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Manchester City: Hits and flops as Cityzens reach semis | UEFA Champions League 2020-21 

Hit - Marwin Hitz (Borussia Dortmund)

Marwin Hitz kept Borussia Dortmund in the game against Manchester City.

On another day, Borussia Dortmund might have been on the end of a walloping by Manchester City. But they have their goalkeeper to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable.

Manchester City dominated proceedings from start to finish and carved out several notable chances, but an inspired Hitz kept the visitors at bay.

The Borussia Dortmund keeper made several five saves against Manchester City, with his standout stops coming against Kevin De Bruyne and Zinchenko. Despite ending on the losing side, the 33-year-old still gave a good account of himself.

Our European journey comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/VJnljzCxWA

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) April 14, 2021

There was nothing Hitz could do about both goals he conceded, so it takes nothing away from a fine performance.

Flop - Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund)

Emre Can had two forgettable games against Manchester City.

Emre Can would not look back on both games against Manchester City too fondly. The former Liverpool man was at fault for the first goal conceded last week, and he followed that up with another schoolboy error in the return leg.

In this age of VAR, it is foolhardy for a defender to try and head a ball out with his arm fully outstretched, but that was exactly what Can did in his penalty area.

The fact that the ball deflected off his head before hitting his arm gave room for a lengthy review, as amendments to the handball rule overlook handballs that deflect off another body part.

However, Can blatantly having his arm fully away from his body left the VAR with no other decision but to uphold the penalty. Riyad Mahrez promptly dispatched the spot-kick to draw Manchester City level on the night and 3-2 ahead on aggregate.

Before the ill-advised handball, Borussia Dortmund were in control of the tie, leading on away goals and looking to catch Manchester City on the counter. However, Manchester City's goal sucked the air out of Borussia Dortmund's lungs, and Emre Can did his team no favours with his errors across both legs.

Hit - Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Phil Foden put Borussia Dortmund to the sword in both legs.

While Emre Can had a case of lightning striking twice in the wrong sense, it was the opposite for Phil Foden, who proved to be Manchester City's match-winner in both the games.

"He always creates something. He is dynamic offensively, defensively and in the small spaces."In the quarter final of the UCL he was the important player to help us go to play PSG."🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiMhttps://t.co/JRdQtL6yYk

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 14, 2021

The England international was on the periphery for most of the second leg against Borussia Dortmund but stepped up to the plate when it mattered most late on in the game.

The 20-year-old scored with his sole shot in the game, showing the requisite technique and precision needed to beat an inspired Hitz in the Borussia Dortmund goal.