Guardiola Opts for Unconventional Preparation as Man City Scrap Training Before Borussia Dortmund Clash

Key Takeaways:

• Pep Guardiola cancelled Manchester City’s scheduled training session on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund
• This marks the first time this century that City will not train on the eve of a European match, with players set to regroup only on matchday
• Manchester City currently hold seven points from three matches, eyeing top-eight qualification with home ties against Dortmund and Leverkusen this month

Guardiola’s Bold Decision Alters Pre-Match Routine

Pep Guardiola has taken the rare step of calling off Manchester City’s planned training session on Tuesday, disrupting the club’s usual preparations for their Champions League showdown against Borussia Dortmund. Typically, City would have held an afternoon training session, the first 15 minutes of which are accessible to the media in accordance with UEFA’s broadcasting policy.

This time, however, the squad were granted a rest day on Tuesday – a move unprecedented for Manchester City in a European campaign this century. The squad will next assemble on the day of the game itself.

#ManCity will NOT be training today ahead of facing Borussia Dortmund tomorrow.

Pep Guardiola has given the players a day off to keep legs fresh after a routine recovery session on Monday following the 3-1 win against Bournemouth.

📰 @Jack_Gaughan pic.twitter.com/17Og3glifh

— City Report (@cityreport_) November 4, 2025

Recovery and Squad Activities Following Bournemouth Win

The decision follows a Monday session at the City Football Academy, during which the team focused on training and recovery after their recent encounter with Bournemouth. Players who did not feature in the starting eleven engaged in a more rigorous session. The winning training group consisted of Savinho, Tijjani Reijnders, Divine Mukasa, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rico Lewis and John Stones.

After the conclusion of the Monday activities, Guardiola informed his players of the surprising cancellation for Tuesday, a move understood to be aimed at maximising recovery. The manager is expected to elaborate further at his scheduled lunchtime press conference.

Champions League Outlook and Fixture Schedule

Manchester City are targeting consecutive victories in their two home Champions League matches this month – matches that bookend the upcoming November international break. Achieving this objective would assure City of a top-eight group finish and direct last-16 qualification, allowing them to bypass two additional knockout games.

“We want this season to qualify in the top eight. We know how important it is to not have those two extra games,” said captain Bernardo Silva after the win in Villarreal last month.

“But yeah, we’re happy with our momentum right now, with the way the team is playing.”

Currently, City sit on seven points after three matches. After their upcoming home fixtures against Dortmund and Leverkusen, they will travel to Real Madrid in December and Bodo Glimt in January, with the initial group stage wrapping up against Galatasaray at the Etihad.