Atletico Madrid hosted Dortmund in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, taking a narrow lead into the second leg as the tie remains wide open.
The hosts put on a terrific performance early on and they took a 2-0 lead to the halftime. Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Lino gave Diego Simeone boys what they wanted and the visitors could not cope with Atletico’s pressing football.
However, in the second half, Dortmund’s changes resulted in Haller’s goal and could even draw level in the final moments. The match ended 2-1 as both sides await the second leg in six days.
Atletico vs Dortmund: Play-by-Play
Atletico Madrid began the match with more aggression. In the third minute, Griezmann’s beautiful pass found Alvaro Morata in free space behind Dortmund’s back-line. However, the Spanish Striker could not hit the target and his shot was blocked for a corner.
In the 4th minute, a bad pass from Kobel to Julian Ryerson who was under pressure from Koke, resulted in a huge mistake by the Dutch defender. Rodrigo De Paul picked up the ball and the Argentine midfielder scored with a simple finish to put Atletico in front.
The hosts’ attacks continued and it looked like they wanted to score more goals. Just two minutes after the first goal, Kobel made a vital save to deny Axel Witcel’s back-heel shot. Griezmann was in the center of Atleti’s build-up and it was his third key pass in the first half.
The match went a bit tense as Emre Can, Lino, and Morcos Llorente all received yellow cards in five minutes. In the 32nd minute, Atletico who out-played the visitors, doubled their lead. Mats Hummels made a mistake and Morata passed the loose ball to Antoine Griezmann who was running towards the goal. The Frenchman laid the ball with a great soft touch to Lino who fired it below the keeper.
Dortmund’s first chance also came from a sloppy pass by the opposition’s defense. Karim Adeyemi picked Witsel’s pass, but his shot was deflected for a corner. A few minutes later, the visitors had another opportunity as Oblak made a save to deny Maatsen. The last shot of the first half came from Jadon Sancho, but the English winger couldn’t hit the target.
The hosts were the better side by far in the first period and they deserved their lead. However, the Visitors’ courage in the last minutes showed signs of hope for the BVB fans.
Second Half Report
Dortmund made a substitution after the halftime and Julian Brandt replaced Felix Nmecha. The visitors started better in the second half and had their first chance through Fullkrug but Oblak saved his shot. Atletico answered quickly with a counter but Kobel made a save to deny Molina.
In the 73rd minute, the visitors came close with a curling free-kick from Julian Brandt, but his shot went over the bar. One minute later, Atletico had their best chance through Griezmann’s cross from a set-piece. Lino could easily score his second goal of the night but Kobel made a great save to keep his team in the game.
Atletico had some chances wasted and Dortmund punished them. The visitors pulled one back when Sebastien Haller, who came in for Fullkrug, converted Brandt’s pass into the back of the net. The hosts almost saw their lead disappear as youngster Bynoe-Gittens hit the bar from the edge of the box.
Julian Brandt hit the bar again for Dortmund in the final minute and the match ended 2-1 in favor of Rojiblancos. Atletico Madrid who dominated the visitors in most of the game, had their lead cut to one. Now they face a real challenge in the second leg against Borussia Dortmund who are very dangerous in their fortress.
Player Ratings
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak (GK) – 7: Made a few saves, notably from Maatsen. Could do little about the goal.
Jose Gimenez (RCB) – 7: Normal display from the Uruguayan defender. was booked in the 75th minute.
Axel Witsel (CB) – 7: Made an error in the first half, but his block on Adeyemi was crucial.
Cesar Azpeliquetta (LCB) -7: Solid performance from the veteran. Made an important block on Bynoe-Gittens’ shot.
Nahuel Molina (RB) – 7: Lively through the right flank. Normal service from the Spaniard.
Lino (LB) – 8: Scored the second goal and could have another one at 2-0. He was always a threat and will be missed in the second leg after his yellow card.
Koke (CM) – 8: Strong performance from the captain. Controlled the midfield well throughout the game.
Rodrigo De Paul (CM) – 8: Scored the first goal with his awareness and was one of his team’s best players.
Marcos Llorente (CM): – 7: Another good performance from the Spain international. Covered the pitch well and was present everywhere needed.
Antoine Griezmann (FW) – 9: Man of the match. Created many chances for his teammates and assisted Lino for the second goal.
Alvaro Morata (ST) – 7: Was a threat in the first half and contributed to the second goal.
Subs:
Pablo Barrios (FW) – 6: Came in for Morata and helped his team in both attack and defense.
Angel Correa (FW) – N/A: Replaced De Paul in the 80th minute.
Stefan Savic (CB) – N/A: Came in the final moments for Witsel.
Saul Niguez (CM) – N/A: Replaced Molina in the final minutes.
Rodrigo Requelme (RWB) – N/A: Came in the final moments for Lino.
Manager:
Diego Simeone – 8: His side dominated the first half and could put the match to bed. However, missed chances resulted in the visitors coming back into the game and things could have been worse for him at the end.
Borussia Dortmund
Gregor Kobel (GK) – 6: Made an error that led to Atleti’s first goal. However, his save from Lino kept his side in the tie at 2-0.
Julian Ryerson (RB) – 5: Had a tough night, especially against Lino.
Mats Hummels (CB) – 6: Made a huge mistake that led to Lino’s goal, But managed his team well through the second half.
Nico Schlotterbeck (CB) – 6: Was part of a defense that did not perform well in the first half.
Ian Maatsen (LB) – 5: Made a bad mistake early in the game and let Dortmund down five minutes after the Kick-off.
Marcel Sabitzer (DM) – 5: Was dominated by the opponent’s midfield.
Emre Can (DM) – 7: One the players that helped Dortmund stay the game. Good performance by the captain.
Jadon Sancho (RW) – 7: Was a threat throughout the match. His side’s best player in the first half.
Felix Nmecha (CAM) – 5: Had a quiet night and was subbed after the halftime.
Karim Adeyemi (LW) – 6: Normal display. Could do little damage to the opposition’s defense.
Niclas Fullkrug (ST) – 5: Was not served well by his teammates and was replaced by Haller after an hour.
Subs:
Julian Brandt (CAM) – 8: Dormund’s best player by a mile. Turned things around in the second half and assisted Haller’s goal.
Sebastien Haller (ST) – 7: Scored his side’s only goal to keep the tie still open.
Bynoe-Gittens (FW) – 7: The youngster was always a threat after replacing Adeyemi in 73th minute. Came close to scoring, but his shot hit the bar.
Salih Ozcan (DM) – N/A: Replaced tired Emre Can late in the game.
Marco Reus (CAM) – N/A: Came in for Sabizer in the final minutes.
Manager:
Edin Terzic – 7: His team was out-played in the first half, but his changes turned the match around. Should be happy with the result, despite last-minute bad luck.
