Stage goal instead of a shaky game: A grandiose Gregor Kobel paralyzed the Manchester City goal machine and led Borussia Dortmund early into the Champions League round of 16. When they met Erling Haaland again, BVB drew 0-0 against Manchester City thanks to Kobel’s save from penalties – the point was enough for an elite circle to continue to use the “treasure chest” of the premier class.
“It was very, very important that we reward ourselves,” said Kobel on “Prime Video”: “We are super happy that we qualified.” The 0-0 is “certainly okay in the end”. For Jude Bellingham, getting through meant “a lot. We don’t take it for granted. We want to go as far as we can.”
To the delight of Dortmund, the group final at FC Copenhagen on November 2nd is not a final, but meaningless in terms of sport: Because Kobel suspected the corner when Riyad Mahrez (58th) took a penalty.
In front of 81,000 spectators, the German runners-up earned the necessary draw against the group winners with passion and defensive power, even if City didn’t always seem to be serious. After an inconspicuous 45 minutes, the dreaded Haaland stayed in the dressing room.
The south stand received the returnee in a friendly manner, just as Edin Terzic had announced. The coach had once again emphasized Haaland’s qualities as a person and player – but the Norwegian goal eater had to be stopped. This is “a huge challenge,” said Kobel. No way: Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck shared the guard well, Niklas Süle defended again in the back four on the right and was convincing.
BVB on the trigger from the start
But first of all it was BVB who attacked. Julian Brandt not only excelled in the offensive center with strong dribbles and a dangerous free kick (8th), Jude Bellingham directed the game. The Dortmund seemed alert and aggressive. Karim Adeyemi missed his chance to pass to one of two much better placed colleagues (16th).
Only then did City tighten their corset of countless short passes with German international Ilkay Gündogan, but without Kevin de Bruyne. Hummels grabbed the ball from the oncoming Haaland and was also extremely present in other ways, repeatedly asking his team to occupy the entire width of the field.
FC Sevilla’s 3-0 win against Copenhagen made it clear that one point would be enough for the round of 16 (BVB) or for the group win (Manchester). Dortmund still took the risk: Gio Reyna tested Stefan Ortega (26th), the former Bielefeld player made his competitive debut in goal for the guests. Youssoufa Moukoko missed (36′). A tour would have been deserved.
Kobel saves BVB
Bernardo Silva then replaced Haaland, who had artistically scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win for Manchester in the first leg. A little later, Silva initiated the attack with a through pass, which Can stopped in the penalty area with a foul on Mahrez. When Kobel parried his shot, the stadium almost boiled over.
City turned up the heat, showed a lot more commitment. BVB let themselves be pushed into a permanent defensive position and only rarely made it into the opposing penalty area. Thorgan Hazard shot a free kick from the best position into the wall (74th).