Erling Haaland mutilated the Sevilla defence as Borussia Dortmund emerged victorious at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in the UEFA Europa League.
Borussia Dortmund put an end to Sevilla’s incredible run of form in all competitions by securing a 3-2 win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. It was a fiery clash between the two sides, with the narrow victory serving as a major boost for the Bundesliga side heading into the second leg.
Dortmund didn’t have the best of starts, however, conceding an unfortunate early goal through Suso, whose deflected shot beat Marwin Hitz to find the back of the net. The visitors did respond quickly and perhaps a bit shockingly as Mahmoud Dahoud’s rocket from long range got the better of Bono.
The Black and Yellows used the goal to put more pressure on the Sevilla backline that simply had no answer to their attacking unit led brilliantly by Erling Haaland. The Norweigian whizkid netted twice inside the first half, giving his team an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Sevilla failed to inspire in the second half either, struggling to create any clear cut opportunities. That was until the final phase of the campaign when Oscar Rodriguez’s effort rattled Hitz. Not long after, the Spanish giants eventually pulled one back through Luuk de Jong, with the goal set to play a key role in the second leg.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two sides in this exciting contest at the Ramon Pizjuan this midweek.
Sevilla
Bono: 5/10
Bono simply had no chance in denying the clinical Haaland, who looked in an inspired touch. He was also rooted to the spot from Dahoud’s long-range effort.
Jesus Navas: 6/10
Jesus Navas couldn’t offer much from the right flank, though he did play in a more conservative role due to the presence of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Guerreiro.
Jules Kounde: 6.5/10
Jules Kounde did not exactly have a bad game but did momentarily get troubled by the Dortmund counter-attacks. Had difficulties keeping up with the tricky Sancho.
FT Thoughts (Sevilla-Dortmund):
• Unexpected win from Dortmund
• Haaland x Sancho strikes again
• Dortmund were energetic today + sharp on the ball
• Genetic bottlers
• Kounde was average but so was the backline
• Fair result & huge away goals
The Champions League is back— FCBGox (@FCBGox) February 17, 2021
Diego Carlos: 5/10
Diego Carlos had a miserable first half, dealing with Haaland. The Dortmund forward was simply too much for the Sevilla centre-back, despite all his physical prowess.
Sergio Escudero: 5/10
Sergio Escudero found it difficult to influence the game going forward, despite Dortmund lacking significant firepower on the right flank. A disappointing display from the left-back.
Joan Jordan: 5/10
Joan Jordan struggled to make his presence felt in the centre of the park, often failing to offer those trademark forward balls. He was subbed during the final stage of the game.
Fernando: 5/10
Fernando couldn’t offer much protection for Sevilla in central midfield. He spent most of his time complaining to the referee and lost possession in the middle of the park, leading the Haaland’s second goal just before half-time.
Ivan Rakitic: 4/10
Ivan Rakitic had a difficult time in midfield, finding it difficult to dictate things. He also provided the poor and risky pass that led to the Dortmund turnover as Marco Reus dispossessed Fernando.
Suso: 6.5/10
⚠️ | QUICK STAT
Suso has now scored 6 goals for Sevilla since joining them in January 2020 – 4 of those 6 goals, including this one against Borussia Dortmund, have come from outside the box.
It was a lucky deflection, but he'll take it!#UCL pic.twitter.com/MnCo6MlL6n
— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) February 17, 2021
Suso was rather lucky to find the early goal as his shot was deflected off Mats Hummels as well as Jude Bellingham. He wasn’t the worst of players for Sevilla in this game though.
Youssef En-Nesyri: 5/10
Youssef En-Nesyri had a game to forget against Borussia Dortmund. Starting ahead of Luuk de Jong, the Sevilla frontman lacked the quality to trouble the opposition defence.
Alejandro Gomez: 5/10
Another Sevilla player who struggled to influence the game, Alejandro Gomez failed to provide the penetration that was required from him, especially in the first half. Sevilla looked much better with him being subbed off.
Substitutes
Nemanja Gudelj: 5/10
Nemanja Gudelj replaced Rakitic at half-time, hoping to add more stability in Sevilla midfield. However, the veteran kept getting bullied by Haaland whenever he had possession.
Munir El Haddadi: 6/10
Munir El Haddadi didn’t really influence the game too much but certainly looked like a threat in the final third.
Luuk de Jong: 7/10
Luuk de Jong’s overall work ethic and ability to act as a target man provided dividends for Sevilla as the former Gladbach man scored the second goal.
2-3! Luuk De Jong at back post, from super Oscar delivery! Sevilla back in it… kinda…
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 17, 2021
Oliver Torres: 6/10
Replaced the ineffective Papu Gomez around the hour-mark, didn’t look promising.
Oscar Rodriguez: 7.5/10
Oscar Rodriguez made a huge impact after coming on late in the game, notably bagging the assist for de Jong goal. Should have been brought on earlier.
Borussia Dortmund
Marwin Hitz: 6/10
Marwin Hitz was unfortunate to concede the early goal but should have done a lot better in saving the second. Did make a couple of routine saves in between.
Mateu Morey: 7.5/10
Mateu Morey may not have provided the offensive aid going forward, but he was pretty effective in intercepting crosses and finding a teammate with an accurate forward ball.
Manuel Akanji: 7/10
Manuel Akanji had a much better game compared to his performance against Hoffenheim on the weekend. He looked much more confident on the ball, offering excellent ball-progression at times.
Mats Hummels: 7/10
Hummels also looked brighter than he did in the last few matches. The veteran used his experience to keep things tidy at the back for the most part.
Raphael Guerreiro: 7/10
Guerreiro wasn’t the best player of the game by any means and even committed some questionable defensive actions throughout the second half. He was quite influential going forward, though.
All things considered a great result for Dortmund. An outcome not many in Germany were expecting. #SEVBVB 2:3.
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) February 17, 2021
Jude Bellingham: 7.5/10
Jude Bellingham used his box to box qualities to cause trouble for the Sevilla midfield. His work ethic and fighting spirit may also catch a lot of attention across Europe.
Emre Can: 7.5/10
In the absence of Thomas Delaney and Axel Witsel, Emre Can’s leadership in midfield was critical in preventing Sevilla from dominating this game.
Mahmoud Dahoud: 8.5/10
Dahoud made the full use of his rare opportunity to not only score the opener but also influence Dortmund’s approach play with his excellent link-up and passing in the middle third of the pitch.
#SEVBVB Mahmoud Dahoud
1 goal
2 key passes
1/1 dribble
3 tackles
1 interception
1 clearance
30/39 passes
50 touches
89 minutes— BVBstatistics (@BVBstat) February 17, 2021
Marco Reus: 8/10
Marco Reus channelled his 2013 self by dispossessing Fernando and running with speed at the Sevilla backline before releasing a perfectly weighted ball to Haaland to register the assist for Dortmund’s third goal. Led from the front.
Jadon Sancho: 8.5/10
Jadon Sancho was by far the brightest spark for Dortmund in the first half. He looked quite dangerous in possession, and his link-up play with the likes of Reus, Guerreiro and Haaland was mesmerising, to say the least.
Erling Haaland: 9/10
Haaland continues with his marvellous record in the Champions League with yet another brace. He was a scourge for the Sevilla defenders from every stretch of the imagination, while also playing a key role in the first line of press. Man of the match.
✰ 3 shots
✰ 3 shots on target
✰ 2 goals
✰ 1 assist"Football hasn’t seen this kind of absurd combination of power and pace, perhaps ever. Adriano might have been the last player to possess such inhuman power levels."@muhammadbutt crowns Erling Haaland as The One. #UCL
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 17, 2021
Substitutes
Felix Passlack: N/A
Felix Passlack was brought in for the tiring Guerreiro to add more energy in the Dortmund backline. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Julian Brandt: N/A
A late replacement for Reus. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Thomas Meunier: N/A
A late replacement for Dahoud. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
