Borussia Dortmund gave FC Barcelona a big fight and were even significantly better than the Catalans in the second half. BVB still loses because Barca mercilessly exploits two simple mistakes from Dortmund.
Spectacle without a happy ending: Borussia Dortmund suffered a setback on its intended direct route to the round of 16 of the Champions League against Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona. Coach Nuri Sahin’s team lost 2:3 (0:0) to the former national coach’s star ensemble in a thrilling game. For injury-plagued BVB, it was the first defeat in the local football temple since April
In the Dortmund stadium, which was sold out with 81,365 fans, Raphinha (53rd minute) and Ferran Torres (75th/85th) scored the goals for Barça. Serhou Guirassy’s brace to equalize twice (60th penalty/78th) was not enough for BVB.
Despite the defeat, the Revierclub has a good chance of reaching the round of the best 16 teams without going through the playoffs with twelve points and two games remaining. Borussia no longer has to worry about being eliminated in the league phase.
Dortmund’s defense immediately came under pressure
Due to the failures of his central defenders Waldemar Anton and Niklas Süle, Sahin had to improvise in defense. Captain Emre Can defended alongside Nico Schlotterbeck in the middle. And the Dortmund defense was immediately challenged.
Barcelona combined quickly and precisely and created their first chances early on. Captain Raphinha narrowly missed after a sharp cross and should have scored after around a quarter of an hour. A dream pass from Spain’s wonder footballer Lamine Yamal found the Brazilian free in front of Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel. BVB was lucky that Raphinha narrowly missed.
The guests largely controlled the game and had clear advantages in midfield. Playmaker Julian Brandt, who was also injured, was sorely missed at the Revierclub with his ideas and overview.
Dortmund still had a great chance: Julien Duranville, who made his starting eleven debut for the BVB professionals, asserted himself strongly on the right side and played in front of the goal, where Marcel Sabitzer, however, did not aim precisely enough.
Dortmund got into the game a little better. Barça was still technically superior. But BVB now switched more quickly after winning the ball. Guirassy had a great opportunity to make it 1-0 shortly before half-time. However, the center forward shot hastily and missed the goal.
BVB counters Barcelona’s lead
Shortly after the break, Guirassy scored, but the goal didn’t count because provider Jamie Gittens was offside. Almost in return, the Flick team did better – even if it was very close again. Raphinha escaped the Dortmund defense after a through pass from former Leipzig player Dani Olmo and scored to make it 0-1. All the complaining didn’t help: the goal counted.
However, Dortmund reacted strongly. Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí brought down Guirassy in the penalty area. The person who was fouled stepped up and scored to equalize. Even a second setback did not upset Dortmund. Before conceding the goal, BVB goalkeeper Kobel let the ball bounce forward. Guirassy countered Barcelona’s renewed lead with the frenetically celebrated 2-2. Shortly before the end, Torres silenced the Dortmund fans with his second goal. Pascal Groß and Jamie Gittens made two serious mistakes in front of the goal. A header from Nico Schlotterbeck (90.+5), which twisted when landing, flew over the Spaniards’ goal.
Champions League: FC Barcelona mercilessly punishes BVB’s mistakes
Taiwan eyes defence spending hike to counter China pressure
Cliff Notes – Taiwan eyes defence spending hike to counter China pressure Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced a plan to invest an extra $40 billion
