The match: 2-1
After eliminating Inter Milan in the round of 16, Atlético de Madrid hosted Borussia Dortmund as the favorite this Wednesday evening and Diego Simeone’s team mastered this first round against the Germans (2-1). BVB’s individual errors at the start of the match undermined the visitors’ intentions, who nevertheless showed themselves to be enterprising afterwards.
If Ian Maatsen first signed a heroic comeback on Alvaro Morata who thought he would finish (2nd), the Dutchman missed in the process, his blunder being immediately punished by Rodrigo De Paul, on the lookout at the moment (4th ). Stunned, Edin Terzic’s team conceded a second goal in the first act by Samuel Lino on a delicious serve from Antoine Griezmann (32nd).
Kobel saves his own
Returning from the locker room, Niclas Füllkrug and his teammates attacked with all their feet (48th, 51st) without managing to achieve anything. Gregor Kobel then miraculously saved his team at close range on Lino (74th). Then, Sébastien Haller, who came on twenty minutes earlier, gave Borussia hope by benefiting from a ball unintentionally put back into his path by Nahuel Molina. The Ivorian’s clear volley left Jan Oblak (81st) with no chance.
At the very end of the match, Bynoe-Gittens’ shot, deflected by José Maria Gimenez’s head onto his goalkeeper’s crossbar (87th), and Julian Brandt’s helmet hit which crashed into the corner of the Slovenian (90th + 6) made the Civitas Metropolitano shiver. In a week at the Westfalenstadion, BVB, given the content of the second half, will have assets to reverse the trend.
12
Like Simone Inzaghi, Sébastien Haller scored his 12th goal in 13 C1 appearances. Only Erling Haaland has reached this mark in fewer matches in the history of the competition (10).
The highlight: Maatsen’s fatal error
Found in the middle by Kobel on the edge of his area while his back was to the game, Maatsen attempted a one-touch throw towards Marcel Sabitzer. Poorly assured, his transmission benefited Rodrigo De Paul who appeared before finishing in stride. An error, fatal for his team, which gave Atlético confidence for the future. The Dutchman on loan from Chelsea made up for it as the game progressed, notably worrying Oblak from afar (43rd), but the damage was done.
