Borussia Dortmund fell prey at the hands of Manchester City despite a heroic performance from 17-year-old England whizkid Jude Bellingham.
Borussia Dortmund’s run in the UEFA Champions League came to an end as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday evening, taking the overall aggregate to 4-2 in favour of the Premier League giants, who will now face last season’s finalists Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final.
It was a disappointing result for the Black and Yellows, though, as they started the game really well, remaining defensively solid and very patient in regards to their approach play. They were awarded for their efforts with a goal in the 15th minute when Jude Bellingham found the back of the net, becoming the club’s youngest goalscorer in the Champions League.
Dortmund made a nervy start to the second half, however, before Emre Can, the culprit from the first leg, eventually conceded a rather controversial penalty. Riyad Mahrez converted the spot-kick after a long check from VAR, turning the tie back in Manchester City’s favour, with the Citizens eventually sealing the game thanks to a thumping goal from Phil Foden in the 75th minute.
Dortmund did push forward in search of goals but were unable to trouble the Manchester City backline, as the visitors completed the quarter-final aggregate win. Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two clubs following this riveting contest at the Signal Iduna Park this midweek.
Borussia Dortmund
Marwin Hitz: 7/10
Marwin Hitz made one excellent save in the first half to deny John Stones from a set-piece. The Swiss international actually performed quite well but could have done a lot more to keep Foden’s effort out.
Mateu Morey: 6.5/10
Mateu Morey did not enjoy the best of games at right-back. He looked nervy in possession and did not want to take too many risks defensively. Got outclassed by Foden during the latter stages of the game.
Manuel Akanji: 7/10
Manuel Akanji looked defensively solid for the most part of the game. His tackling and game-reading were top-notch as usual, although he looked slightly off colour in possession.
BVB are going to be reflecting on 2 huge refereeing decisions.
-Bellingham goal wrongly annulled in 1st leg.
– Pen decision in the 2nd. To be fair, having reviewed it again likely falls in the “can give, but don’t have to give it“ category. Not convinced most would have given it.— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) April 14, 2021
Mats Hummels: 7.5/10
Mats Hummels had an excellent game, especially in possession. He was also a threat from set-pieces, but will be disappointed to have conceded the two goals.
Raphael Guerreiro: 6/10
Dortmund’s gameplan did not suit Raphael Guerreiro as the full-back was mostly restricted to defensive duties. It came at the expense of a lack of creativity going forward for the hosts.
Emre Can: 6/10
Emre Can did most things right building up to the point where he conceded a penalty. It was an unfortunate moment for the midfielder, as it was a harsh decision by the VAR to award a spot-kick. Struggled afterwards.
Jude Bellingham: 8/10
Jude Bellingham was the inspiring figure that helped Dortmund keep ticking for the most part. The youngster was absolutely endearing in regards to his aggression and tenacity. A goal inside 15 minutes was also well-deserved after being denied one in the first leg.
? | FOCUS
Still only 17 (!), Jude Bellingham was Borussia Dortmund's best player tonight:
? 43 touches
⚽️ 1 goal
? 1 shot/1 on target
↪️ 1/1 acc. crosses
? 1/1 acc. long balls
⛔️ 2 blocked shots
❌ 2 tackles
? 0 times dribbled past
? 7.4 SofaScore rating#BVBMCI #UCL pic.twitter.com/Ge5FkKRIeG— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) April 14, 2021
Mahmoud Dahoud: 6/10
Mahmoud Dahoud was the secret culprit for Borussia Dortmund in this game. The former Borussia Monchengladbach star looked like a threat going forward, but his decision making was absolutely horrendous as he wasted at least two good attacking moments for his team.
Ansgar Knauff: 4/10
There is no justifying Edin Terzic’s decision to start Ansgar Knauff once again. The youngster was simply no match for the quality of the Manchester City defenders as he struggled both physically and mentally.
Marco Reus: 6.5/10
Marco Reus was a vital cog in Dortmund’s first line of press as the Dortmund captain constantly worked hard and instructed his team. He was also very alert to any defensive mistakes and was always a passing option in behind the Manchester City backline.
Erling Haaland: 5/10
It was an awful night for Erling Haaland, who was completely anonymous throughout the ninety minutes. He was not helped by Dortmund’s tactics that did not revolve around him.
SUBSTITUTES
Giovanni Reyna: 6/10
Giovanni Reyna had a couple of good moments but struggled to offer enough quality to cause problems for the Manchester City defence.
Thorgan Hazard: 6.5/10
Thorgan Hazard was introduced during the final phase of the game. He looked lively going forward, but it was not enough to change the complexion of the tie. Perhaps should have started, though.
Julian Brandt: N/A
A late replacement for Bellingham. Did not play enough to warrant a rating, although he did look lively.
Stefen Tigges: N/A
A late replacement for Morey. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Manchester City
Ederson Moraes: 6/10
Ederson was expertly beaten by Bellingham for Dortmund’s opening goal. However, the Brazilian had nothing to do since as the Black and Yellows struggled to create clear cut opportunities.
Kyle Walker: 7.5/10
Kyle Walker produced a valiant effort at right-back. His pace, experience and physicality were vital in restricting the likes of Reus and Knauff, while the ex-Tottenham Hotspur star also made some darting runs forward, whenever he had the opportunity.
John Stones: 7.5/10
John Stones had the occasional problem dealing with the power of Haaland. Aside from that, it was a pretty faultless defensive display from the Englishman, who was also a threat from set-pieces.
Ruben Dias: 7/10
Ruben Dias complemented Stones’s defensive work with his physicality and an imposing presence in the defensive third. Another crucial effort from the former Benfica centre-back.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7/10
Oleksandr Zinchenko started the game in a nervy fashion, losing the ball twice. However, the youngster recovered brilliantly, eventually becoming a lynchpin for Manchester City out wide.
Well done City. Congrats But, some strange ref decicions over the two legs. All the best in the next round. https://t.co/dSyG6w9DFg
— Alfie Haaland (@alfiehaaland) April 14, 2021
Rodri: 7/10
Rodri made a slow start to the game, but he was a vital cog in Manchester City’s approach play nonetheless. His reading of the game helped the Citizens recover the ball quickly, especially in the second half.
Ilkay Gundogan: 7/10
Ilkay Gundogan did not particularly have an impressive game in the middle of the park against his former team. He was, however, very secure in possession.
Kevin De Bruyne: 7/10
Kevin De Bruyne was a threat for the Dortmund defence whenever he had the ball. Would have hoped to offer more in possession, but it is the win that counts for the Belgian.
Riyad Mahrez: 7.5/10
Riyad Mahrez initially found it difficult to send good crosses into the box during the early stages of the game. The Algerian, though, was a constant menace down the right-hand side, eventually capping off his performance with the all-important winner.
Bernardo Silva: 6.5/10
Bernardo Silva did not offer too much in the false nine role, often finding himself in and around the penalty area. It did keep Dortmund occupied, though.
Phil Foden: 8/10
Phil Foden was the star of the show for Manchester City once again after starring in the first leg. A moment of magic even helped him seal the win for City. It also boosted his confidence as the winger was a bigger threat during the late stages of the game.
? | FOCUS
Phil Foden was the star of the show as Man City beat Borussia Dortmund 2:1 to reach the #UCL semis:
? 70 touches
⚽️ 1 goal
? 1 shot/1 on target
? 1 big ch. created
? 3 key passes
? 47/51 acc. passes
⚔️ 6/10 duels won
❌ 2 tackles
? 8.2 SofaScore rating#BVBMCI pic.twitter.com/7t918J2Hl4— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) April 14, 2021
Substitutes
Raheem Sterling: N/A
The first and the only substitute used by Pep Guardiola. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
