MOTM Poll: Marcel Sabitzer Leads BVB into the Champions League Semi-Final

Borussia Dortmund came into tonight’s game 2-1 down on aggregate, needing to win by at least a goal to secure their place in the Champions League semi-final. They did exactly that, going blow-for-blow with a tough Atlético Madrid side and coming out on top, winning 4-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate. BVB have booked their spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2013, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.

I’ll be honest, I was complaining at the beginning of this game that I had to watch this instead of the Southampton vs Preston North End game (in my defense, Saints are attempting to stage their own incredible comeback right now...), but anyone that tuned in tonight was rewarded with one of the most remarkable Dortmund games in recent memory. Goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time, but Atleti adjusted and came out swinging, pulling it back to 2-2 through a Mats Hummels own goal and Ángel Correa, and with Atleti a goal ahead on aggregate, it felt like the dream of Champions League glory was slipping through BVB’s fingers. But there was one last swing left in this tie, as Niklas Füllkrug and Marcel Sabitzer scored goals quickly to give BVB the lead on the night and the one-goal advantage they needed.

It was an incredible quarter-final, and BVB came out on top. They will face PSG next month in the semi-final, in a repeat of the group stages fixtures earlier this season. BVB are just two games away from the Champions League final. Dare to dream!

Here are our picks for Man of the Match.

Julian Brandt

Borussia Dortmund needed a big performance from Julian Brandt tonight, and he stepped up with the night’s opening goal. He was vital in making BVB’s offense tick throughout and even chipped in with some much-needed defensive work late in the game.

Ian Maatsen

Maatsen scored a lovely goal to put BVB 2-0 up, but he was linking up well with Jadon Sancho throughout the first half, as a lot of Dortmund’s best work came from out left. He

Marcel Sabitzer

Sabitzer opened the game with one of the most unnecessary touches you will ever see, fluffing the opportunity to give BVB the lead with an open goal right in front of him. He didn’t put a single foot wrong for the rest of the game. Two assists, one incredible winning goal, and a phenomenal performance that saw him deliver all over the pitch, more than making up for that really weird extra touch.

Füllkrug has had a quiet run recently, but he was vital in BVB’s victory tonight. The goal and the assist are huge, but he was solid, even looking beyond the headlines. He linked up well with those around him and fought hard against a formidable, experienced Atleti backline.

Your Thoughts?

Which players put in heroic performances to help BVB into the Champions League semi-final tonight?