Lots of power, plenty of enthusiasm and impressive comeback qualities – after a spectacular gala, Borussia Dortmund is back among the European football elite and can continue to dream of another showdown at Wembley. With a 4-2 (2-0) win over Atlético Madrid, the fifth-place team in the Bundesliga moved into the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in eleven years.
Unlike this Bundesliga season, coach Edin Terzic’s team once again performed brilliantly in the international spotlight and made up for the 1:2 loss six days earlier in the Spanish capital. In front of 81,365 spectators in the roaring Signal Iduna Park, Julian Brandt (34th minute), Ian Maatsen (37th), Niclas Füllkrug (71st) and Marcel Sabitzer (74th) scored the deserved victory. An own goal from Mats Hummels (49th) and Angel Correa (64th) equalized in a highly intense game.
“It is of course a proud day for all Borussia players,” said BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke after the final whistle. The drama of the game did not go unnoticed by Watzke. “It was a roller coaster ride,” he said: “A really great evening.” Goalscorer Niclas Füllkrug also raved: “Today it was really magical. The stadium was on fire.”
Paris Saint-Germain is now waiting as an opponent in the semi-finals. The French series champion won the second leg at FC Barcelona 4:1 (1:1) and made up for the 2:3 from the first leg. “I didn’t believe that Paris would still do that. But we accept that now,” said Watzke: “If you’re in the semi-finals, then it’s another step – a very difficult step.” The final will take place on June 1st at London’s Wembley Stadium, where BVB lost the German duel with FC Bayern (1:2) in 2013.
BVB showed right from the start that they could actually be back on course for the final. Neither team stopped at a slow pace. BVB should have taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute – instead of simply finishing in front of the Atlético goal, Sabitzer took the ball and was deflected. In return, Álvaro Morata appeared free in front of Gregor Kobel, but chipped past the goal. So things got off to a furious start.
Unlike in the first leg, the Dortmund team were completely there apart from this scene. Borussia repeatedly looked for passes to the lightning-fast Karim Adeyemi, who had two good opportunities early on (15th/18th). Atlético, on the other hand, stood deep and let the hosts come. At first, however, not much came from the Spaniards themselves.
When the guests attacked, it was usually through the center of the midfield, where BVB left gaps. Atlético also left gaps, which Hummels took advantage of with a fine lob. The veteran’s pass landed at Brandt, who dribbled past former Dortmund player Axel Witsel in the penalty area and tunneled through goalkeeper Jan Oblak to take the lead. By now BVB was even better in the game.
Borussia now pressed even higher, but Atlético seemed paralyzed. After a throw-in, the ball passed through Sabitzer to Maatsen, who shot it flat into the far corner from a tight angle. BVB played like a frenzy in these minutes; it was their best performance of the season so far.
But Dortmund wouldn’t be Dortmund if strong performances weren’t suddenly followed by unexpected slumps. Atlético made three changes at the break – and suddenly came into the game. First Hummels scored an own goal after a corner, then Correa equalized after Dortmund’s unfortunate attempt at clearance. BVB could have collapsed now, but instead they came back.
In a memorable game, Füllkrug headed the ball into the goal after Sabitzer’s cross, and shortly afterwards the strong Austrian even scored to make it 4-2. At least now the atmosphere in Signal Iduna Park was reminiscent of the big football nights in the premier class.
The triumph gives Borussia courage for the tricky final stretch of the season with the upcoming difficult games against the German champions Bayer Leverkusen and their rivals RB Leipzig, who have the same points. Without wins, the risk of having to make do with the Europa League next season increases.
Note: This article has been updated several times.
