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When you're as good as Erling Haaland is, sometimes you don't need to even touch the ball to make an impact. The mere threat of involvement is enough to wreak havoc.

So it was for Manchester City's opening goal against Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad. Haaland didn't get the goal, and he didn't get the assist. In fact, he didn't touch the ball at all in the build-up to Phil Foden's exquisite finish from 20 yards.

But what he did do was help create that space for Foden. When Tijjani Reijnders picked up possession, Haaland was stationed between Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton on the edge of the Dortmund box.

Reijnders fired his pass into the feet of Foden, at which point Haaland turned and made his run. It was enough to distract Schlotterbeck and Anton, who both dropped o

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