Gistfox Your News Window To The World.
Related Articles
Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid, UCL 2023-24 QF second leg: Sabitzer goal helps Dortmund beat Atletico 4-2 (5-4 agg)
Borussia Dortmund reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2013 thanks to a gripping victory at home to Atlético de Madrid.
Borussia Dortmund finally clinched a stunning victory at home to Atlético de Madrid in a pulsating UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg to reach the last four for the first time in 11 years.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Madrid, Dortmund started on the front foot and were denied an early opener by César Azpilicueta’s magnificent close-range block from Marcel Sabitzer. Álvaro Morata almost silenced the home supporters moments later, racing clear before sending a dinked effort narrowly off target.
Although Edin Terzić’s side continued to enjoy the majority of possession as the first half wore on, Jan Oblak was largely untroubled until Julian Brandt broke the deadlock just after the half-hour. Mats Hummels steered a magnificent pass into the path of the 27-year-old, who skipped past Axel Witsel before squeezing a low left-footed drive beyond the Atleti goalkeeper, who managed to get a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.
It was 2-0 – and 3-2 on aggregate – just five minutes later. Taking Sabitzer’s clever lay-off in his stride, Ian Maatsen surged into the penalty area and drilled low into the bottom corner from a tight angle, putting Dortmund ahead in the tie for the first time.
Diego Simeone responded to his team’s first-half showing with a triple substitution, and did not have to wait long for his changes to pay off – albeit with a slice of good fortune. Mario Hermoso met Antoine Griezmann’s outswinging corner with a powerful header, which struck the outstretched leg of Hummels on its way into the net.
Buoyed by their fine start to the second half, the visitors continued to commit bodies forward and almost restored parity on the night through half-time substitute Ángel Correa, who steered his shot wide after racing onto Koke’s pass. Correa’s aim was more accurate moments later, lashing in a loose ball after Gregor Kobel had kept out Rodrigo Riquelme’s stinging drive.
Spurred on by their vociferous supporters, Dortmund managed to level the tie once more just seven minutes later. Brandt’s pass down the flank picked out Sabitzer, whose pinpoint delivery to the near post was met by Niclas Füllkrug’s deft header, which flew into the net via the upright.
Three minutes later Sabitzer had the final say in an extraordinary contest, the Austrian midfielder sending the home fans into raptures with a low effort into the far corner after Füllkrug’s shot had been blocked by José María Giménez.
