Atletico Madrid took a step towards their first Uefa Champions League semi-final for seven seasons as goals by Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino gave the Liga side victory at home to Borussia Dortmund.
De Paul seized possession from Ian Maatsen in a dangerous area and slotted into an empty net to give Diego Simeone’s side a fifth-minute lead in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Lino collected Antoine Griezmann’s deft pass to double Atleti’s advantage 26 minutes later, although Dortmund replied through a smart turn and finish from Sebastien Haller nine minutes from time.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens struck the crossbar from long range with a late effort and Julian Brandt repeated the trick with a header which was the final touch of the game as the visitors came within a whisker of levelling the scoreline. The return leg takes place in Germany on Tuesday.
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Atleti v Dortmund: Haller goal changes tie
Atleti are unbeaten in 17 knockout-stage home matches in the Champions League, so Dortmund would almost certainly have settled for a slim disadvantage for the second leg, not least after the start they made in Madrid.
The hosts’ comfortable-looking advantage was a deserved one at the break but Edin Terzic’s side rallied creditably during the second half, scoring one of only five goals to have gone in against Atleti across their undefeated home run.
Atletico Madrid are ahead in just 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 minutes ⏱️
What are Dortmund doing here?! 😳#UCL pic.twitter.com/hOgG8UMk06
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2024
Dortmund also have a poor away record in quarter-final ties, last winning on the road in the last eight when they beat Auxerre in 1996/97.
Haller’s formidable record, though, always makes them a threat, and his classy swivel and clinical finish mean reliably tenacious Atleti will be risking far more if they rely purely on defence in six days’ time.
Samuel Lino makes it 𝗧𝗪𝗢 for Atlético Madrid 👊
Just look at that pass from Antoine Griezmann… 😍#UCL pic.twitter.com/klpLO3NOob
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2024
Terzic brought on Brandt for Felix Nmecha at half-time and the substitute almost rescued a point for his side, arcing a terrific header over Jan Oblak and against the bar in what would have been a sensational final second of the match.
Bynoe-Gittens, too, will wonder what might have been after his rasping shot from 25 yards cannoned off the frame of the target to Oblak’s relief.
Dortmund have just hit the crossbar with the last kick of the game 😩#UCL pic.twitter.com/R01BG27r9n
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2024
Haller had entered the action on the hour mark, with 19-year-old winger Bynoe-Gittens coming on 13 minutes later as part of a set of changes which Terzic will take satisfaction from in changing the momentum of the tie.
The challenge ahead for Dortmund is ensuring they pick up where they left off – a task likely to be made considerably easier in front of a sea of black and yellow hoping they can reach the final four for the first time in 10 years.
