Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid – Match Review

In a day of upsets in the Champions League, Dortmund ran out comfortable 2-1 winners against Spanish giants Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho’s team which is plagued by injuries started with Sami Khedira, who returned after injury in the centre along with Xabi Alonso and the young Rafael Varane in the centre of defense with Micheal Essien as the make shift left back. Dortmund, on the other hand, welcomed Mario Gotze who was not available during the weekend due to an injury. Khedira was taken off in the sixteenth minute with a hamstring pull and replaced by the attacking midfielder Luka Modric.

With complaints of a wet pitch, the game was in the balance till the first half. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Dortmund after 36 minutes in the Westfalenstadion with a sweetly timed shot in the bottom corner as a result of a defensive blunder by Pepe.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Robert Lewandowski of Borussia Dortmund stretches alongside team mates during a training session at the Etihad Stadium on October 2, 2012 in Manchester, England.

The Portuguese international failed to clear the ball which resulted in the goal. Madrid got back into the game almost immediately when Mesut Ozil’s long ball was cleanly read by Ronaldo as he broke the off side trap and looped the ball past the rushing Dortmund keeper into the goal. Madrid did threaten with Angel di Maria coming close twice but it was to no end.

Second half saw Real Madrid struggling to put passes together as Dortmund capitalized on their yet another defensive lapse by Madrid. Gotze’s cross was half punched by Casillas as the left back Schmelzer was quick to pounce and his shot from the edge of the box found its way to the bottom corner in the 68th minute. Jurgen Klopp’s side was then in control of the game with some cool headed defending by Subotic and Mats Hummels which kept Ronaldo & Co at bay. Madrid then had a clear chance on goal when Di Maria put Ronaldo clear through but the goal keeper Weidenfeller was quick to read it and collected the ball. Overall, a cool and calm display by the Dortmund defenders made the difference between the two teams.

Good result for Dortmund who are having a relatively rough patch off late. Lot to think about for Mourinho regarding his team’s defense ahead of the return game in the Santiago Bernabeau on 6th November. Rafael Varane looked solid in the centre of Madrid defense and Mesut Ozil was the exceptional in midfield. A disappointing result nevertheless for the Los Blancos as they now slip into second position in Group D. Other Group D match saw Ajax beating Manchester City 3-1 at the Amsterdam Arena. The English champions are now bottom of the group with just one point in 3 games.