Borussia Dortmund reached the semi-final for the first time in 15 years after beating FC Malaga in a dramatic 2nd leg victory with 3:2 at the Signal-Iduna-Park in Dortmund.
Jurgen Klopp started his strongest squad and with Gündogan, Götze, Blaszczykowski, Reus and Lewandowski. Dortmund started nervous and Malaga challenged Dortmund for every ball. It took until the 18th minute until the first Dortmund chance by Lewandowskis who chipped the ball too high. Dortmund missed the quick combinations, failed to put Malaga under pressure and made many passing mistakes in the opening minutes. Malaga concentrated on defending and was more and more pushed in to their own half. However, the team of manager Pellegrini was always dangerous on counter attacks and it strategy paid off in the 25th minute when Joaquin scored the opener for Malaga with a 15 yard shot in to the right corner. Dortmund and 66000 fans were shocked. It took the BVB until the 40th minute to equalize. Lewandowski received a brilliant back heel pass from Reus and left Malaga keeper Willy no chance – 1:1.
Dortmund much better at the start of the second half and Lewandowski tested Willy once more. Joaquin also missed another great header against BVB keeper Weidenfeller in the 48th minute. Jurgen Klopp complained that his team played too many long balls and brought on Schieber and Sahin for Blaszczykowski and Bender in the 72nd minute. Malaga keeper Willy had to make several great saves in keep his team in the game. First against Reus (76th) then against Gotze (79th) minute. Malaga, however, scored on the other side. Substitute Eliseu scored the surprising 1:2 lead in the 82nd minute. Dortmund didn’t give up and threw everything up front. Hummels played a long ball in the penalty area and Reus with the equalizer in the 91st minute. Dortmund pushed for the miracle and was pushed by the home crowed. Lewandowski played another ball in the penalty area where Santana tapped the ball in from close range – 3:2 BVB!
Dortmund secured the miracle and the first Champions League semi-final in 15 years. Manager Klopp said after the game: “We fell into each other´s arms after this unbelievable game…Over the two legs I think we are deserved winners. But we could have been knocked out…I´lll never forget this game.”
Dortmund is still the only undefeated team in this years Champions League campaign and the draw for the next round will take place on Friday, April 12th.
