A poor defensive performance from Borussia Dortmund nearly cost them the Champions League tie, but a late goal has given them a chance heading into the second leg.
Dortmund were terrible in the first half with several defensive errors costing them. Within five minutes, Gregor Kobel’s pass put Ian Maatsen under pressure from Rodrigo De Paul and the Argentine was able to dispossess and then score. The second goal came after a miscommunication between Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck allowed Antonie Griezmann to play through Samuel Lino who doubled Atlei’s lead.
The second half saw an improvement from Dortmund after substitutions saw with the introduction of Julian Brandt. The German’s influence was then seen when he played through Sébastien Haller, who on the half volley gave Dortmund a lifeline. Dortmund then began to grow into the game but it was too little too late and both Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Brandt, hit the woodwork.
A terrible first half did not do Dortmund any favours but an improved second half has given them a lifeline and hope that they can turn the tie around next week. A positive to take from this is the fact that Atleti’s away form has been poor this season.
Borussia Dortmund XI:
Gregor Kobel (6), Julian Ryerson (5), Mats Hummels (4), Nico Schlotterbeck (4), Ian Maatsen (4), Marcel Sabitzer (5), Emre Can (5), Felix Nmecha (5), Jadon Sancho (6), Niclas Füllkrug (5), Karim Adeyemi (5)
Others: Julian Brandt (6), Sébastien Haller (6), Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (5), Marco Reus (-), Sahil Özcan (-)
GGFN | Jack Meenan
