Silva, Lewandowski, Tevez and other key battles between Man City and Dortmund

Man City take on German champions Borussia Dortmund for the first time in their history, as the two clash in the Champions League group stages. City return to European action needing a win, following their dramatic 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid. Dortmund, however, have a huge task ahead of them if they are to win at the Etihad, with City currently unbeaten in their last 17 home European ties. talkSPORT bring you some of the potential key battles...

Vincent Kompany v Robert Lewandowski
Despite responding well after conceding early against Fulham at the weekend, Man City are yet to keep a clean sheet this campaign. City's defence look uncharacteristically shaky, and will certainly be tested by a Dortmund side who have scored 20 times already this season. The key will be how Vincent Kompany deals with Robert Lewandowski, who has yet again been linked with a move to City's rivals Manchester United.

Kompany will have his work cut out and with his defensive partner likely to be Matija Nastasic, it will be a huge test of his leadership to shut out the Dortmund attack. Bundesliga player of the year Lewandowski has carried on his fine form from last season and scored Dortmund's winner against Ajax a fortnight ago.

Robert Lewandowski's goals from the 2011/12 season

David Silva v Marco Reus
It tends to be the case that when David Silva plays, Man City play. The diminutive Spaniard was pivotal to the club's success last season and, while he hasn't replicated his own high-standards this season, he remains the font of City's creativity. Playing as part of an attacking three behind Carlos Tevez, Silva will likely be the prime playmaker alongside Sergio Ageuro and Samir Nasri.

Up against him will be Dortmund new-boy Marco Reus, who will play a similar role for the German side. One of the darlings of Germany's Euro 2012 side, Reus has been tasked with the role of filling the massive void left by Shinji Kagawa's departure to Manchester United this summer.

While he is a different player to Kagawa, Reus offers youthful exuberance and a dynamism which is proving a nuisance for opposing defenders. Having grabbed four goals in six league games this season, Reus will be a massive goal threat for Dortmund.

David Silva at his tricky best against Ireland

Carlos Tevez v Mats Hummels
Last season Carlos Tevez was the villain, this season he's spearheading Manchester City's attack in the Champions League. Football's a funny game and this week, the Argentinian will face German opposition for the first time since his infamous refusal to warm up against Bayern Munich 12 months ago. Tevez, however, will likely be preferred over Edin Dzeko to face Dortmund, and rightfully so. Having scored three in his last four league games, Tevez can be a danger man for City and could cause a fragile-looking Dortmund defence plenty of problems.

Looking to stop him will be Mats Hummels, who needs to put his recent patchy form behind him and return to the kind of displays that saw him emerge as one of Europe's finest defenders last season. Hummels and defensive partner Nevan Subotic have been shipping goals this season and desperately need a good showing against City if they are to keep Dortmund's European hopes alive.

Mats Hummels may have to consult this compilation if he is to silence Carlos Tevez

Will City get their Champions League campaign up and running with victory over Borussia Dormund, or will the German giants prove too strong for the Premier League champions? Have your say on the topic by commenting below...