Borussia Dortmund, defying the predictions of many, secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the 2023/24 Champions League.
Let’s follow along as we review the games in Group F, considered the group of death in this edition.
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Index
Milan 1 x 3 Borussia Dortmund
The so-called group of death lived up to its name. All the teams present – Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle, and PSG – are incredibly strong sides.
Yesterday’s clash between Germans and Italians promised the showdown between the most traditional participants in the group.
Milan needs no introduction. Dortmund, champions in the 1996/97 season and finalists in 2012/13.
PSG and Newcastle are two teams with significant Saudi investment but lack a strong history in the Champions League. Nevertheless, this doesn’t change the fact that they’ve assembled highly competitive squads.
As we know, Champions League titles don’t step onto the field to play for the players.
Borussia Dortmund, even if they had lost this match, would still have had a chance to qualify on the final matchday. However, why wait? With the victory, they secured their place in the Round of 16, potentially securing the top spot even if they were to lose in the final round, provided PSG didn’t win their game.
However, looking at the scoreline of 1-3, it’s hard to imagine how the game could have taken different turns.
At just 4 minutes in, Rafael Leão unleashed a rocket from outside the box. Dortmund’s defense blocked it with an arm, and the penalty was rightly awarded.
Giroud had the opportunity to open the scoring and ease the match. He just didn’t anticipate that goalkeeper Kobel could guess the direction correctly and prevent the Frenchman’s goal.
Image: Getty Images
Like a classic Champions League game, constantly changing due to the extreme intensity, at 10 minutes, the 19-year-old Englishman Bynoe-Gittens entered the box and performed a dazzling dribble past Calabria, who could only stop him with a penalty.
Once again, the referee István Kovács correctly pointed to the spot.
In the penalty kick, Marco Reus, the eternal idol of the club, delivered his typical curling shot, high into the net’s cheek, leaving Maignan with no chance.
The first half didn’t have many dangerous moments, except for some good plays from Bynoe-Gittens, who often outshone Calabria.
At 56 minutes, Chukwueze made a beautiful play on the wing. If previously Bynoe-Gittens was the one dribbling, this time he was on the receiving end.
The Nigerian from Milan, very cleverly, noticed a gap between the winger and the full-back on the right flank of Milan’s attack. With a sharp cut, he took the ball to the middle of the box and struck firmly to equalize the match.
However, the night belonged to Bynoe-Gittens. In true Champions League style, just when we thought Milan might exert pressure, playing within their legendary stadium to turn the game around, Borussia Dortmund orchestrated a video game-like play.
With a lightning-fast exchange of passes among the frontmen, the Germans played in the style of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, with the final pass reaching the English lad. He tapped it with little force but extreme precision to place the ball in the back of the net. Dortmund made it 1-2 at 58 minutes.
At 68 minutes, as Milan pushed for an equalizer, Borussia Dortmund began relying on counter-attacks.
Another young player from the squad, Adeyemi, who had come on for Malen just before the second goal, received a pass from Reus. The 21-year-old German faced the marking and struck hard down the middle. With Maignan’s contribution, who had seen better moments in Milan’s goal, he scored Dortmund’s third goal.
The third goal opened up the game, with both teams hitting the woodwork. But the score remained the same. Victory for Borussia Dortmund and a guaranteed spot in the Round of 16. Who will join the Germans in the next phase?
Image: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP
PSG 1 X 1 Newscastle
Considering Milan’s loss to Borussia Dortmund, PSG missed the chance to secure their place in the Round of 16 with a round to spare.
However, let’s see how the prognosis could have been even worse if it weren’t for the controversial event at the end of the match.
As the game kicked off, the French team started with their usual pressure, making use of their always participative fan support.
At just 8 minutes, Mbappé tried an acrobatic attempt, stopped by a good save from Pope.
Just three minutes later, PSG’s defense, unreliable since Thiago Silva’s departure, began to show signs of anxiety and desperation.
Donnaruma, who has made errors when playing with his feet, as seen in the elimination against Real Madrid in the 2022/23 season, made a terrible pass to Hakimi, who didn’t help himself either.
The full-back tried to dribble out but was easily dispossessed by Almirón. The Paraguayan winger entered the box and set up Isaak, who missed a clear chance.
But the Swedish striker is a natural finisher. He wouldn’t miss another opportunity like that.
In another move developed on Hakimi’s side, English full-back Livramento carried the ball from the left to the right side of Newcastle’s attack, weaving through PSG’s defense across most of the penalty area.
The Paris defense watched Livramento’s dribbles but did nothing. Livramento, not bothered by the lack of intensity in the opponent’s marking, passed to Almirón, who was positioned on the right wing, contrary to his usual position.
The Paraguayan took a strong shot. Donnaruma parried the ball into Isaak’s path. The striker struck the rebound first time and opened the scoring at 24 minutes.
Image: The Independent Reprodução
From then on, PSG heavily pressed for the equalizer. Mbappé had a great game. He dribbled, assisted, and took shots. However, his teammates seemed unable to match his pace.
Special mention to goalkeeper Pope, who made wonderful saves. One of them, a shot from close range, was simply outstanding.
In PSG’s final push, Dembelé shot the ball forcefully, just a meter away from the Newcastle defender.
The ball touched the defender’s ribs before brushing against his arm. The reaction of the Paris players, especially Dembelé, was immediate. They screamed and gestured, demanding the penalty.
Unfortunately, referee Szymon Marciniak responded to the VAR call and awarded the penalty with the aid of technology.
Mbappé stepped up to take the penalty and crowned his excellent performance with a firm, high shot, equalizing the match in injury time.
If PSG had lost to Newcastle, they would have remained on 6 points, while the English side would have jumped to 7.
Therefore, PSG would have only depended on themselves to progress to the next stage.
With the draw, PSG maintains the second position in the group, requiring only a draw to reach the Round of 16.
Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Written by Vitor F L Miller.
