Dortmund digs deep to beat Atlético 4-2 and reach Champions League semifinals with 5-4 aggregate win

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Marcel Sabitzer scored late and arrange two targets to ship Borussia Dortmund into the Champions League semifinals with a helter-skelter 4-2 win over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

After shedding the primary leg of their quarterfinal 2-1 in Madrid, Dortmund needed to come from behind twice over two legs to advance 5-4 on combination.

Julian Brandt opened the scoring to degree the tie earlier than Sabitzer arrange Ian Maatsen to provide Dortmund a 2-0 lead on the night time.

Atlético coach Diego Simeone responded with three adjustments on the break and so they all paid off. A Mats Hummels personal aim and aim from substitute Joaquín Correa put the Spanish facet again in entrance on combination.

Then Sabitzer arrange Niclas Füllkrug within the 71st minute for the Germany ahead’s first aim after 9 scoreless video games, and Sabitzer scored himself three minutes later to ship Dortmund into the final 4.

“That was a rollercoaster, a extremely nice night,” Dortmund chief govt Hans-Joachim Watzke mentioned. “It’s not at all times like that for Borussia Dortmund. The final time we have been within the semifinals was in 2013. This can be a nice day for all Borussen.”

Dortmund will face Paris Saint-Germain once more within the semifinals. PSG progressed to the ultimate 4 with a 4-1 win at Barcelona. The groups performed already this season with Dortmund shedding 2-0 in Paris of their opening group match, then drawing 1-1 of their ultimate recreation as Dortmund topped Group F.

The ultimate can be performed June 1 in London, the place Dortmund misplaced the 2013 ultimate 2-1 to bitter rival Bayern Munich.

Tuesday’s win stretched Dortmund’s unbeaten run at dwelling within the Champions League to 10 video games.

“We have been near tying the sport, however they have been superior, and when a group is superior they need to be congratulated,” mentioned Simeone, who blamed his group’s elimination on wasted alternatives from the primary leg when Atletico dominated however did not construct a much bigger benefit.

Atlético wanted goalkeeper Jan Oblak at his finest. He denied Brandt, then Karim Adeyemi, earlier than Brandt lastly made the breakthrough within the thirty fourth, firing a strong shot in off Oblak’s leg from a troublesome angle after eluding former teammate Axel Witsel.

Sabitzer then mixed with Maatsen, who surged previous two defenders and fired the ball contained in the far publish within the thirty ninth. It was the Dutch defender’s first Champions League aim.

However Atlético solely wanted 4 minutes after the break to degree the tie when Hummels’ tried clearance of Mario Hermoso’s header resulted in his personal web.

Correa ought to have scored shortly afterward when he nudged the ball huge. Simeone — dressed sharply in a black swimsuit — flopped to the bottom in frustration.

Correa made no mistake within the sixty fourth when he fired in a rebound after his first try was blocked.

It put the guests again in entrance, however Sabitzer was concerned in each targets as Dortmund struck twice in three minutes to ship the house followers wild.

“Such nights are particular, this Champions League season is particular,” Brandt mentioned. “To see all these joyful faces right here within the stadium is pure happiness.”

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