Real Madrid V Borussia
Dortmund Uefa European Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg
Real Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 0 3-4 AGG
Last night Real Madrid went out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Borussia Dortmund. Despite winning the tie two nil with two late goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos, Jose Mourinhio’s side must wait another year to get hold of their 10th European Cup. The Madrid manager will feel that his side lost the tie in the first leg when Madrid failed to show the competitive spirit that was there tonight as the German Champions progressed.
Fight back had been the word on the lips of many of the ex-Madrid players before the start of this Champions League Semi Final 2nd Leg. Madrid certainly started as if this was the case, creating chance after chance in the opening 15 minutes and a fight back seemed to be on the cards. Jurgen Klopp who had spoken of bravery before the game and his players showed plenty of bravery with a small dollop of luck as his side faced the expectant early storm from Madrid.
Dortmund had named an unchanged side from the first leg while Madrid made two changes in the form of Modric for Khedeira and Essien for Pepe. Dortmund were unbeaten in Europe coming in to tonight’s tie including three games against Real Madrid. They were hoping to reach their first European final since 2002. Madrid started the game pressing high up the pitch hoping to replicate the tactics that worked so well for their opponents in the first leg.
An early chance fell to Higuain in the fourth minute. The Argentinian striker could not get the ball out of his feet and he scuffed his shot towards the feet of Weidenfeller. While Madrid were dominating with a high intensity pressing game, they were always open to the quick counter attack from a pacey Dortmund side. Lewandowski had a clear cut chance for Dortmund after 12 minutes which would have ended the tie. Right up the other end Ronaldo had an almost identical chance a minute later as the sides swapped chances in an opening 20 minutes.
In the opening period Madrid had 3 clear cut chances, one of them would have put them back in the tie, but they were unable to take any of them. At this stage Dortmund were struggling to get a foot hold in the game and were constantly giving the ball away as they looked nervous and anxious. However Madrid were also showing signs of anxiety themselves in front of goal. The game became more physical with both sides picking up numerous yellow cards and the chances became less and less.
At half time Madrid faced a real uphill battle as the Bernabeau faithful became more and more impatient. Early on in the 2nd half Lewandowski struck the Madrid cross bar as Dortmund were starting to open up the Madrid defence. As the game ebbed away from Madrid, Mourinhio made a double substitution with Kaka and Benzema coming on for the already booked Coentrao and Higuain. Jurgen Klopp a man who did his Sports Science Thesis on Walking, and his team were strolling into the final at this stage.
The Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez kept the tie alive after 61 minutes when Reus set up Gundogan with a gilt edge chance which was only stopped by a fantastic save from the ex-Seville goalkeeper. Madrid placed some doubts in the heads of the Dortmund players after 83 minutes when Benzema scored from a cross. The temperature started to rise in a game that was beginning to lose its flame. Madrid piled the pressure on and were rewarded with a goal from the Sergio Ramos. The Spanish international smashed the ball into the roof of the net following a scramble in the box. Now the fight-back was on as Dortmund were looking nervous as Madrid just needed one more goal to send the Germans out. The last play of the game was a penalty appeal as Ronaldo fell in the box but as he went down so did Madrid’s hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Madrid won the tie but just came up short and Klopps young side advanced to the final in Wembley Stadium. The fight back when it came was too little too late.
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Essien, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao, Modric, Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain. Subs: Casillas, Pepe, Khedira, Kaka, Benzema, Albiol, Morata.
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Gundogan, Bender, Blaszczykowski, Gotze, Reus, Lewandowski. Subs: Langerak, Kehl, Leitner, Sahin, Grosskreutz, Schieber,
Felipe Santana. Referee: Howard Webb (England)
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