Champions League: BVB after victory at AC Milan in the round of 16

Things are going well in the Champions League: Borussia Dortmund are in the round of 16 with one game to go. There was a clear 3-1 (1-0) win at AC Milan on Tuesday (November 28th, 2023). Marco Reus, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Karim Adeyemi scored the goals, and BVB also benefited from a saved penalty by Gregor Kobel.

“We did really well and created a lot of atmosphere with possession of the ball” said defense chief Mats Hummels, who played an outstanding game at “Prime Video“. “We clinched a well-deserved victory and were inspired rather than impressed. It’s a shame we’re not sure we’re first yet.“

“Penalty shootout” at the start of the game

Milan dominated the early stages of the game. But the hosts also failed to take the lead on two big opportunities. First Samuel Chukwueze and Olivier Giroud missed a sharp cross about three meters from the opponent’s goal (5th), then Giroud lost his nerve from the spot. After a handball by Nico Schlotterbeck there was a penalty, but Gregor Kobel was able to fend off the French striker’s shot (6th).

Three minutes later there was another penalty – this time on the other side. Davide Calabria fouled Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and ensured that Marco Reus had a great chance to make it 1-0 for BVB. And unlike his counterpart, the Dortmund player took the lead (10th). Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan sensed the corner, but was powerless to stop the sharp and well-placed shot.

Chukwueze punishes Dortmund’s usury of opportunities

As a result, the entire Rossoneri team appeared powerless. But Bynoe-Gittens missed the chance to make it 2-0 (19th) after another successful dribble against Calabria, and Dortmund also used their best counterattack opportunities too imprecisely at the last moment. Marcel Sabitzer (34th) and Donyell Malen (37th) were prime examples of actions in which much more was possible.

Even more annoying: the equalizer came straight after Malen’s missed chance. Chukwueze went solo against Ramy Bensebaini and Bynoe-Gittens, moved into the middle and shot the ball into the far corner – and because Schlotterbeck deflected it unstoppably, Kobel had no chance in this case (37th). And things almost got worse for BVB in the first half, but Calabria headed past the Dortmund goal completely unmarked in the third minute of stoppage time.

Thiaw and Schlotterbeck have to leave the field

Even after the break, BVB initially needed a little luck. Former Dortmund player Christian Pulisic scored from close range with a side kick, but Julian Ryerson was still able to block with his shoulder (49′).

Even worse for Milan was what happened on the other side immediately afterwards. German international Malick Thiaw sustained a muscle injury during a sprint and had to be substituted. The next injured was at Milan, which was already plagued by major personnel problems (including the absence of top player Rafael Leao). However, BVB coach Edin Terzic also had to react; Schlotterbeck, who was suffering from a cold, indicated that he could no longer continue playing.

Bynoe-Gittens again, then Adeyemi

But Dortmund coped better with this change – and then the hero from the Gladbach game had his big moment again. Bynoe-Gittens was the initiator of the victory in the Borussia duel in the Bundesliga last weekend (4:2 after a 0:2 deficit) and after his penalty, the top talent also scored in Milan. Sabitzer tipped the ball to the 19-year-old, who deliberately pushed it into the opponent’s goal from 16 meters to make it 2-1 (59′).

And once again the Dortmund team refined the performance of their young star. Substitute Karim Adeyemi made the preliminary decision a little later. The BVB striker caught Maignan on the wrong foot with his shot from 17 meters and increased the score to 3-1 (69′). Milan then pressed, but were unable to achieve more than a header from Luka Jovic onto the post (85′). Shortly afterwards, Niclas Füllkrug missed the chance for Dortmund’s fourth goal by hitting the crossbar (88th).

With the victory, BVB secured their place in the round of 16 early. Newcastle United and Paris St. Germain (drawn 1-1) can still draw level on points in the last game, but in a direct three-way comparison Dortmund would definitely have the upper hand over Newcastle. And so, despite the turbulent past few weeks, BVB impressively achieved its first goal.