Atlético and Dortmund Advance in Champions League

Atlético and Dortmund Advance in Champions League

Time Stamp: March 15, 2024 11:56 AM

Atlético de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund advance to the quarter-finals, being the final two sides to do so in this year’s Champions League. Both games were tight contests, decided in the final moments.

Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven

Dortmund thoroughly dominated the first 30 minutes of the second leg against PSV. They had nine shots during this time, while PSV only produced one. They also scored through English winger Jadon Sancho, who slotted his finish in the bottom corner from outside the box in the third minute of play. This goal brought the aggregate score to 2-1.

PSV would fight back, however, and wrestled control of the game in the second half. PSV produced 12 of their 17 shots in the second half while dominating possession.

One of the catalysts for PSV’s resurgence was Mexican winger Hirving Lozano, who wreaked havoc on the right side of the pitch. He came off the bench in the second half and blasted a shot off the post in the 53rd minute, leaving Dortumd goalkeeper Gregor Kobel diving at nothing.

PSV’s best chance to tie the game came at the end of the game through Dutch striker Luuk de Jong. In the 94th minute, de Jong played a quick one-two at the edge with Dutch fullback Jordan Teze before placing his shot high from inside the box.

Luck would be on Dortmund’s side, as a minute later, Dortmund’s Marco Reus would seal the game after PSV’s Isaac Babadi slipped and fell, losing control of the ball. Reus took the ball into the opposition box and calmly placed a shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Reus’ goal brought the aggregate score to 2-0, bringing Dortmund to the quarter-finals for the first since 2021.

Atlético de Madrid vs Inter Milan

Inter Milan are the best team in Italy. They lead Serie A with 75 points; second place A.C. Milan has 59 points. Furthermore, in 28 Serie A matches, they have only lost once.

They were the favorites in the second leg against Atlético, even though the Cívitas Metropolitano is a hostile environment for visitors, highlighted by Atlético’s stellar home record this season. Atletico has won 18 of their 21 home games this season leading up to the second leg against Inter, tied two games, and only lost once.

The first clear chance of the second leg came from Atlético. In the fifth minute, Brazilian wingback Samuel Lino got loose down the left side of the pitch before Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved his strong left-footed shot. 

Then, in the 13th minute, Dutch wingback Denzel Dumfries ran free in the right channel before placing a powerful shot into the gloves of Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Both clubs would exchange shots before Inter opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. 

Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella ran into the box and played a cutback to wingback Federico Dimarco, who slotted a calm first-time finish past Oblak, bringing the aggregate score to 2-0. 

Inter’s two cushion was short-lived, as Atlético forward Antoine Griezmann scored after a series of ricochets in the box to bring the aggregate score to 2-1. 

The Rojiblancos hounded Inter, especially in the last 10 minutes of the game, in search of the goal that would send the match to extra time. 

In the 87th minute, Dutch forward Memphis Depay scored for Atlético after a quick turn in the box to bring the aggregate score to 2-2 and the game to extra time.

 In extra time, both teams had clear chances to give their respective sides the lead. In the 94th minute, Inter forward Marcus Thuram missed his header high and wide to the right from the center of the box. Later, in the 97th minute, Depay placed a quick left-footed shot from the center of the box into the hands of Sommer. 

The 120 minutes ended in a tie, and a penalty shootout ensued. Jan Oblak made the first save of the shootout, stopping Alexis Sanchez’s penalty with his feet. Sommer made the next save, diving to his right to stop Saul Niguez’s penalty, keeping the score 1-1 in the shootout. 

Oblak made another save off Inter’s Davy Klaassen, and as Atletico kept scoring, Inter’s Lautaro Martinez stepped up to keep his team in the shootout. With the score on penalties at 3-2 in favor of Atlético, Martinez sent his penalty over the bar, giving Atlético the win.

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