Dortmund edge out Malaga in dramatic finish

Two quick goals in the closing seconds of injury time saw Borussia Dortmund emerge 3-2 winners on the night and on aggregate and seal their place in the final four of the UEFA Champions League. With two-and-a-half minutes of stipulated injury time left to go, Dortmund were trailing 1-2 to the Spanish side.

In the 92^nd minute, Marco Reus scored the equalizer to pull it back to 2-2. It looked to have come a little too late for the home side as the draw still meant Malaga would go through on away goals. But, Dortmund threw just about everybody forward in search of the winner. A Robert Lewandowski cross from the left caused panic and defender Felipe Santana managed to bundle the ball home after his initial shot was saved by the keeper and the rebound fell to him. Santana’s goal led to chaotic scenes as the Borussia players celebrated with the fans going wild, while those of Malaga sunk to their feet.

Dortmund made a cautious start to the match, preferring not to go all out in search of goals. Jakub ‘Kuba’ Blaszczykowski was back in the starting line-up for the German side starting out wide on the right. Barring a few forays from Dortmund, it was a comfortable opening 20 minutes for Malaga who continued to be resolute in defence, picking up from where they left off last week. Against the run of play, the visitors then took the lead on 25 minutes when Joaquin scored with a left footed shot from just outside the box after a mazy run exchanging a 1-2 with Isco.

The goal brought Dortmund into action and there was more conviction in their play as the likes of Mario Gotze and Lewandowski became increasingly involved in the game. After a spell of sustained pressure, on 40 minutes Lewandowski brought the game back to parity when he finished a superb team goal. Blaszczykowski picked up the ball on the right and laid it in for Gotze who took 2 touches before releasing to Reus who found Lewandowski with a sublime back heel flick. The Polish striker did the rest as he rounded Willy Caballero in goal to put the ball in the back of the net.

Just on the stroke of half-time, Malaga earned a free-kick 30 yards out and Duda’s in-swinging delivery found a completely unmarked Joaquin who had a free header, but the Spanish winger’s effort lacked power and was directed straight at Weidenfeller. The teams went in at half-time on level pegging, though Malaga were in the driver’s seat having scored the away goal and Juergen Klopp berating his players for the lapse defending.

The second half got off to a racy start with chances for both teams to score. More excellent football from Borussia’s attacking quartet put Lewandowski through on goal, his finish though was a little close to the keeper and Caballero gathered safely. At the other end, Joaquin, who had an outstanding game for the visitors, had another opportunity when he got his head to an Isco cross from close range. A fantastic save from Weidenfeller though, prevented Malaga from restoring their lead. After an open first 15 minutes, the game became a little scrappy as Dortmund’s frustrations came to the surface. Unable to find any rhythm in their passing, they started to give the ball away cheaply and concede unnecessary fouls. Even Klopp was getting ever more chippy as the match wore on as his side were unable to grab a winner. Martin Demichelis and Sergio Sanchez were excellent in central defence for Manuel Pellegrini’s side as they continued to frustrate the boys in yellow.

Nuri Sahin and Julian Scheiber were brought on by Dortmund as they chased the winner. Frustration soon gave way to agony as it was Malaga who scored their second through Eliseu who had come on for the captain Duda; Isco once more featuring in the build-up and his ball to Julio Baptista caught the Dortmund defence out before the Brazilian laid it on for Eliseu who scored with a sliding finish. There was a touch of offside about the goal and Klopp was now rabid on the touchlines as his side were staring at the exit door with 8 minutes plus stoppage time left.

Juergen Klopp through on Mat Hummels in a last ditch effort as Dortmund shipped bodies forward, literally throwing the kitchen sink at Malaga. The Spanish team’s fans were rejoicing when the board to signal 4 minutes of stoppage time came up, confident in the fact that their team were on the brink of progress. But, it was to be heartbreak for them as Dortmund refused to throw in the towel and staged a sensational comeback to steal the game booking themselves a semi-final place in the process.

"I just can't really believe this," said Dortmund defender Never Subotic. "This is the craziest moment in my entire football career. Up until now it has been a Hollywood movie; hopefully it will have a Hollywood ending." Juergen Klopp, speaking after the game added "I cannot explain what has happened to me after that, I think I need to see a doctor. It feels like we have won the trophy."

Borussia Dortmund vs Malaga: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal Preview

 Last week at La Rosaleda, Borussia Dortmund failed to put away some really good chances against Malaga and as a result come into the 2nd leg of their UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal tie at home on level pegging, 0-0 on aggregate. They could have very well come here with at least a 2 goal advantage, away goals to boot, if Mario Gotze in particular had had his finishing boots on.

Of all 4 quarterfinal ties, this one is the most finely balanced. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have established sizable first leg advantages to be in control in their respective ties while Barcelona inspite of conceding a late equalizer will be more than happy having scored 2 precious away goals and with the 2nd leg at the Camp Nou. Juergen Klopp and Dortmund will no question be disappointed that they have to start with a clean slate, but you would still tip last year's Bundesliga champions to go through.

Dortmund are now the only team in the competition to remain unbeaten after Juventus' run was brought to an end by Bayern Munich last week. They faced stiffer opposition in the group stages and managed to come through with flying colors beating the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City. So, on paper, Malaga would appear a considerably lighter challenge as compared to those 2 sides. But, this is the knockout stage, when second chances are at a premium and the stakes are that much higher. The quality of the Dortmund strike force is exemplary. It is a team that is never short on goals and Klopp is not the kind of manager that would change the way his team plays in Europe.

Testimony to that was their 1st leg performance where they were clearly the better side. They were abetted by Malaga's resolute dedication to defence with an emphasis on not conceding away goals. Manuel Pellegrini has played it smart so far; in the previous round against Porto, he opted for damage limitation in the 1st leg in Portugal and his side came away with only a 1-0 loss, something which they managed to overturn in the return leg at home. This time with the 1st leg at home, he chose caution by choosing to eliminate the threat of away goals and leaving the fate of the tie to be decided in Gelsinkerchen.

Dortmund boast an intimidating home record in this year's Champions League. They have a perfect record having won all 4 home games, scoring 7 goals and conceding just 1. Gotze has been involved in 6 of the last 10 goals that Dortmund have scored; it is no surprise then that his off color performance in Spain has left his side with work to do at home if they are to progress into the final four. Their front line is as good as it gets with Marko Reus combining with the aforementioned Gotze and Robert Lewandowski to lethal effect. And it is unlikely that Dortmund would be as wasteful as they were in the 1st leg and if Malaga concede early, it could very well be a long night for them.

Malaga to their credit have been very efficient in seeing out games. Unfancied in the group stages, they managed to emerge as winners from a group that included AC Milan and Zenit St. Petersburg, both of whom were heavily favored to come through.  They have a good bunch of young players along with some wily veterans such as Joaquin, Martin Demichelis and Javier Saviola in the mix. The pick of the lot is Spanish sensation Isco, who has been a revelation so far and is widely sought after by the big boys of Europe. Good in scoring and setting up others, he will be crucial to Malaga's plans of upsetting the Dortmund apple cart. Malaga, along with Juventus and Porto, have the most clean sheets (5) in this year's competition, and if they can shut out the Germans for the second week running, they may be joining their more illustrious Spanish compatriots in the semi-finals.

TEAM NEWS
Borussia Dortmund will receive a major boost as Mat Hummels is set to return to action after being sidelined with a groin injury that he picked up in the Round of 16 clash against Shakhtar Donetsk. Jakub 'Kuba' Blaszczykowski is also expected to come in to team up with Reus and Gotze in a 3 behind striker Lewandowski.

Malaga suffered a couple of setbacks even as they managed to draw their home leg. 2 of their key players, centre back Weligton and midfielder Manuel Iturra, picked up yellow cards which sees them suspended for the 2nd leg.


Malaga need one goal to make sure that the tie doesn't go the distance and finishes in normal time. Pellegrini has been here before with Villareal and is an expert when it comes to grinding out results. However, with the suspensions to key defenders and the home form of Dortmund, not to forget that they were lucky to escape with a stalemate last week, the Germans would still be slight favorites to go through. A result in the other direction would definitely be an upset.

Moutinho goal pushes Porto ahead after tight 1st leg at the Estadio Dragao

In the other match on Tuesday night, Portuguese giants Porto grabbed a slender advantage to take to Spain as they beat knockout stage first timers Malaga. The Andalusian club showed their lack of experience in this stage of the competition and they chose a conservative approach as Porto clambered all over them.

It was match that Porto dominated, their players looking sharper and more hungrier throughout the game. The home side had 17 shots on goal, 10 of them on target, in comparison to the visitors' one. Midfielder Joao Moutinho who had an excellent game scored the lone goal when he made an incisive run into the box to tuck away a through ball from Alex Sandro. They would be a little aggrieved that they weren't able to eke out a bigger advantage, but the result gives the Dragons the edge going into the 2nd leg.

Malaga and their wily coach Manuel Pellegrini though would believe that they have a very good chance to progress playing the second leg at home at the La Rosaleda.

Magical Messi scores his 300th Goal

 Lionel Messi's brace helped Barcelona push their lead at the top of La Liga to 15 points with a 2-1 win away at Granada. With both the Madrid clubs, Atletico and Real, in action on Sunday, the Catalans had the opportunity to widen their lead.

It was Granada who took the lead, against the run of play, through Odion Ighalo in the 26th minute. Barca put on a passing masterclass in the first half with Thiago Alcantara running the show in the absence of the injured Xavi. However, a rare attack from the hosts saw them go behind when Ighalo cushioned the ball into goal off a cross from the right. 

Barca however stayed patient and were rewarded in the second half when Cesc Fabregas' intial shot was parried by the Granada keeper, only for Messi to pounce on the rebound to score his 300th goal for the Blaugrana. Then in the 73rd minute, Barca earned a free-kick 30 yards out which the Argentine beautifully curled in to the far post to seal the points for the Catalans. 

Barcelona travel to the San Siro midweek to take on AC Milan in the 1st leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Malaga and Sevilla also post Wins

Messi wasn't the only Argentine on target yesterday as former Madrid and Barca striker Javier Saviola scored the only goal of the game to help Malaga to a 1-0 win over struggling Athletic Bilbao. Saviola's 7th goal of the season helped the Malaga consolidate their 4th place standing in La Liga. Like Barcelona, Malaga too will travel away to Porto for their 1st leg tie in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 midweek.

A double from Gary Medel gave Sevilla a 3-1 home win over bottom club Deportivo La Coruna. The win provides a significant boost to Sevilla in their push for European qualification places next season.

Tonight's key games:

Valencia vs Mallorca

Real Valladolid vs Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano