Erling Haaland 's much-heralded return ended in ignominy and Riyad Mahrez missed from the spot again as Manchester City laboured to another European stalemate.
A fortnight after a goalless draw at Copenhagen, Pep Guardiola 's side drew another blank, the only consolation being the point gained here confirmed them as Group G winners. It was a homecoming to forget for Haaland, returning to his former club for the first time since joining City in the summer, only to be hooked at the break after an ineffective first-half.
Mahrez also had a night he will want to banish from memory, missing a penalty for the second Champions League game in a row and surely now banned from spot-kick duties.
Guardiola had warned his City side to expect a stern test from Dortmund and so it proved, Edin Terzic's side proving obdurate opponents whom the visitors were unable to find a way past. Against that backdrop, Guardiola picked a surprising line-up, making six changes from the side that earned a hard-fought 3-1 win over Brighton at the weekend.
The most notable change was in goal, with goalkeeper Ederson on the bench, meaning summer signing Stefan Ortega – an unused sub in City's first 16 games of the season - was handed his debut. Also dropping to the bench were Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte and Jack Grealish, replaced by Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Julian Alvarez.
The hosts, currently fifth in the Bundesliga, conjured the first two openings, Youssoufa Moukoko shooting high and wide, Julian Brandt doing the same with an audacious free-kick after eight minutes. Karim Adeyemi broke free from the City defence after 15 minutes, but there was little conviction about his effort, thudding the ball straight at Ortega to squander the opportunity.
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Haaland was put through by Gundogan three minutes later, but Dortmund skipper Mats Hummels cut off the supply with a superbly-timed challenge, then recovered to head away Mahrez's cross from the loose ball. The crucial double intervention earned a huge ovation from Dortmund's famous Yellow Wall of supporters, as Guardiola cut a frustrated figure on the touchline over his side's lack of fluency.
Dortmund got in behind City again in the 25th minute, Adeyemi and Jude Bellingham exchanging passes, the former scampering free and finding Giovanni Reyna, who shot tamely at Ortega.
The German side should have taken the lead in the 35th minute, Adeymei again breaking free down the right and squaring for Moukoko, who put the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.
City had to wait until first-half added time for their proper chance, Ake sending a header over from a Foden free-kick, after Cancelo had been fouled. Haaland, who was shackled in the first-half and largely anonymous, did not emerge after the break, replaced by Bernardo Silva, while Cancelo was also hooked for Manuel Akanji.
Silva added some much-needed impetus to City's attack, combining well with Alvarez shortly after the restart, theq ball finding its way to Foden, who scooped his first-time shot way over. City were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute when Emre Can brought down Mahrez. With Haaland off, Mahrez took the spot-kick and saw his effort saved by Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.
Mahrez had also missed from the spot in City's 0-0 draw away to Copenhagen a fortnight ago. It was Mahrez's fourth penalty miss of the calendar year and further proof of why he should not be on spot-taking duties.
