Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has apologised to Italian referee Daniele Orsato for his post-match outburst in his side’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.

Erling Haaland struck a late winner against his former club as Manchester City came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

The prolific Norwegian was kept quiet by his old team-mates for much of a cagey Champions League encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday but clinically volleyed in six minutes from time.

Guardiola was yellow carded for marching onto the field and complaining about a challenge on Phil Foden at the end of the game.

Orsato gave Guardiola a yellow card which led to the City manager hugging the referee as a calmer discussion followed between the pair.

He was contrive after the game as he stated: “I deserved it. I apologise to him.”

Victory sees City open up a three-point lead at the top of Group G, with Dortmund still in second after FC Copenhagen and Sevilla played out a 0-0 draw in the Danish capital.

It is not the first time Man City have conceded before going on to win this season, which Guardiola was not pleased about.

“We are used to doing it lately. I don’t like it,” he said after his side conceded the first goal on the night.

“We played in the wrong gear today. No aggression. We were passive. The moment we changed rhythm with Phil [Foden], Bernardo [Silva] and Julian [Alvarez], we changed our pace and scored two excellent goals.

“I’m pretty sure the way were playing in the first half John [Stones] wouldn’t have had the courage to try it [his shot but we had the rhythm and momentum and we said OK it’s going to happen. It was exceptional. I’m so happy for him.

“They are an exceptional team. We knew it. We weren’t good enough today. At the same time it’s always good to have that resilience – let’s go, let’s go, let’s go. Having Julian and Erling in the box, having that alternative, it works.”

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