The German outfit came into the game having scored four goals in all three league phase matches this season but this time they were on the receiving end as City cruised to a 4-1 success.
Phil Foden scored twice with almost identical efforts, substitute Rayan Cherki opened his Champions League account for his new team as Dortmund threatened a comeback but it was the goal scoring phenomenon that is Erling Haaland who will take the plaudits for his 29th minute effort.
The Norwegian international, who was captain, has become the first player to score in five consecutive Champions League appearances for as many as three different teams, having previously done so for RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian international has now netted in his last five outings in the competition for the Cityzens, netting seven goals in total.
Regardless of whether the Germans used their original 37 character name or not the result would have been the same, and yet for the opening period, until they went behind, they had taken the game to their hosts who seemed surprised that visitors to the Etihad Stadium would act so inappropriately.
Certainly, order was restored with two goals in seven first half minutes for the home side as City’s wide players Jeremy Doku and Savinho were a constant threat. Often both can flatter to deceive, certainly the latter, but here in the starting line up together for once they tormented the Dortmund defenders with their pace and trickery.
And City fans were impressed with Foden who looked back to his silky best and must surely be brought in from the international cold and an England place.
City fans still nervous
On Bonfire Night we had fireworks before kick off which left the pitch covered in a smoky haze and the players looking more opaque than clear for ten minutes. Of course had the visitor’s taken advantage of there early dominance and added a second after Waldemar Anton had reduced the deficit with 18 minutes remaining with City looking ragged then the sparks could have been flying for all the wrong reasons.
Certainly the Cityzen faithful, knowing that their team have history in throwing away two and three goal leads, were a tad nervous as Dortmund pinned City back and had a couple of decent chances. The relief around the ground was palpable when the fourth goal came in added time.
Dortmund introduced their substitutes including two players from England, Jobe Bellingham and Carney Chukwuemeka who helped give their team impetus but it was too little too late.
For City the records continue: 23 home Champions League games unbeaten and have now won their last 11 matches at home to German clubs.
But for one German club, Borussia Dortmund, they must be wondering how things would have turned out had Haaland not left them for City in 2022 for £51m.
City are starting to look like they are getting back to some consistency although boss Pep Guardiola is adamant they are still work in progress which will be further tested on Sunday when they face Liverpool at home.