Borussia Dortmund prevailed in a thrilling quarter-final second leg against Atlético Madrid and is in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
After the 1:2 in the first leg, Dortmund won the second leg against Atlético Madrid 4:2 (2:0) in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in a sold-out stadium. For Borussia Dortmund it is the first semi-final appearance since 2013. “Today it was really magical. The stadium was on fire,” said Niclas Füllkrug after the game at Prime.
The celebrated goals for BVB were scored by Julian Brandt (34th), Ian Maatsen (39th), Füllkrug (71st) and Marcel Sabitzer (74th). Mats Hummels scored an own goal to make it 1:2 (49th), Angel Correa scored the second goal for the Spaniards.
Füllkrug replaces Haller
After Sebastian Haller was injured again in the Borussia duel at the weekend, Edin Terzic also had to do without Donyell Malen. Niclas Füllkrug moved into the starting line-up for Haller and Karim Adeyemi also got another chance. Compared to the first leg, only Julian Brandt replaced Felix Nmecha, who had recently been out of form.
Borussia Dortmund celebrates a thrilling victory against Atlético Arrow right quarter-finals Arrow right
Dortmund and Atletico miss opportunities
Unlike in the first leg, BVB were fully involved in the game from the first second. Sabitzer, who had been so accurate recently, gave away the early lead after four minutes. After an opening pass from Brand to Adeyemi, he played the ball flat in front of the goal. However, the detached Sabitzer waited too long. In direct return, Alvaro Morata missed Atlético’s first big chance. The Spanish international ran freely towards Gregor Kobel and chipped the ball just wide of the goal (5th).
After a wild opening few minutes, the game calmed down a bit, but BVB remained in control. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak parried shots from Brandt and Adeyemi (18th). After a strong pass with the outside of the foot from Mats Hummels, the eye-catching Brandt prevailed on the left five-point corner and scored the deserved 1-0 from an acute angle (34th).
Maatsen increases to 2:0
Dortmund immediately followed up: After a quick throw-in, the ball landed via Jadon Sancho and Sabitzer to Ian Maatsen. The left-back shot from a half-left position and the ball landed flat in the far corner (39′).
After a strong first half, BVB rewarded themselves with this double blow and took the 2-0 lead into the break.
Atlético comes out of the locker room strong
The guests from Madrid came out of the dressing room with a lot of momentum. After a corner, the ball landed at the second post to the advanced Mario Hermoso, who headed the ball towards the goal. During an unfortunate attempt to clear the ball, Hummels poked the ball into his own goal (49′). Dortmund looked stricken after the surprising goal, while Madrid pushed for an equalizer. After just under an hour, Angel Correa left the score 2-2 (58th).
Sportschau, April 16, 2024 11:37 p.m
Dortmund was unable to free itself at all in this phase. After a big mess in the Dortmund penalty area, a rebound landed at Correa, who shot the ball into the net with full force and shocked an entire stadium (64th).
Dortmund double strike
Edin Terzic’s team didn’t seem unsettled after the equalizer, quite the opposite. BVB looked for a way forward again and became dangerous again. After a cross from Sabitzer, Füllkrug initially prevailed in the header duel and the ball flew into the far corner (71′).
BVB now had the momentum on their side. After a strong chip ball from Emre Can, Brandt passed to Füllkrug. Sabitzer grabbed the ball and made it 4:2 (74th).
“Proud Day”
Dortmund did not isolate themselves after the double strike, but continued to attack. BVB was significantly closer to the fifth goal than Atlético Madrid was to the third. Ten minutes before the end, Füllkrug missed putting the lid on. His shot from 16 meters went too centrally on goal. Even in four minutes of stoppage time, the Spaniards were unable to get a dangerous finish on Gregor Kobel’s goal.
“This is a proud day for all Borussia, it was a roller coaster ride,” said managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke at Prime: “To come back like this is something you have to do first.” In the semi-finals, Dortmund will face Paris Saint-Germain, who surprisingly beat FC Barcelona.
