Borussia Dortmund beat Real Madrid with 4:1 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final thanks to a gala performance of Robert Lewandowski who scored all four goals.
One of the big questions before the game was how Dortmund fans would welcomed Gotze after he announced that he will play for Bayern Munich next season. However, Dortmund supporters welcomed him in a great manner. Jurgen Klopp started Bender for Sahin compared to the 2:0 against Mainz on the weekend. José Mourinho, on the other side, rested most of his squad against Levante. Borussia Dortmund started well in the opening minutes and came to the first chance in the 7th minute through Reus and Lewandowski. Real seemed nervous and made many mistakes against a strong Dortmund team. Dortmund with the lead in the 8th minute. Gotze played a sharp ball into the box where Lewandowski just had to tap in – 1:0 Borussia Dortmund. Ronaldo tested Weidenfeller for the first time in the 24th minute. Dortmund, however, was focused and determined and almost extended the lead through Blaszczykowski (27th / 32nd). Real Madrid benefited from a BVB mistake when Higuain intercepted a short Hummels back pass. He passed to Ronaldo who equalized in the 43rd minute.
The game, so far, was similar to the group stage game when Real equalized before the break and Dortmund only won 2:1. However, Dortmund came back even more determined after the half. Dortmund’s pressure paid off in the 50th minute after Reus brought the ball into the box where Lewandowski controlled the ball superbly and hammered it past Real keeper Lopez – 2:1 BVB. Lewandowski scored his third just 5 minutes later. The Poland international received a Schmelzer shot deflection, went past Pepe and put it past Lopez. Dortmund wasn’t done and kept running at Real. Lopez had to make a superb save against Gundogan. In the 67th minute was Reus fouled by Alonso right outside the penalty box and Lewandowski scored his 4th goal of the night – 4:1 Dortmund after 67 minutes.
Klopp delighted after the game and said: “It was unbelievable, a great game by my team. It was so difficult to play because they are so strong and fast, and in counter attack are brilliant. I think the first 25 minutes were great, and then we lost a little bit of our game – not so much but enough to let them come up and they made the draw.”
The second leg of the Champions League semi-final will be played next week on April 30th in Madrid. Tickets for the game are available here: Tickets
