Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Inter Milan
Three second-half goals gave Borussia Dortmund a vital win over Inter Milan tonight in an all-action clash at a packed Signal Iduna Park.
The Bundesliga side has taken a firm grip on a top-two place in Group F of the Champions League after they broke Italian hearts with a stunning comeback. And with two games still to play, the odds are now on BVB and Barca progressing to the round of 16.
In the run-up to the game, the Champions League 2019 updates circulated around the Signal Iduna Park, and the news that Barcelona had been held at home by Slavia Prague caught plenty of attention.
And when Antonio Conte’s side went two up in the first half, the signs looked grim for the Germans. But two goals from Achraf Hakimi turned the game on its head.
Highlights of the game
Defeat in Milan two weeks ago was a blow to BVB’s Champions League plans, and they knew they were in for another tough game from the first whistle. Inter midfielder Cristiano Biraghi put a mark on Achraf Hakimi in the opening minute to pick up a yellow card.
And on five minutes, the Nerazzurri landed a more serious blow. Lautaro Martinez scored an early goal when the two teams clashed in Milan and he did it again tonight. He found enough space in the penalty area and fired his shot into the bottom-right corner, giving BVB keeper Roman Burki no chance.
Once they were over the shock, the hosts tried to hit back. Mario Gotze and Nico Schulz both came close before Julian Brandt fired one high and wide when he had his chance.
At the other end of the pitch, Martinez was sniffing around for a second and shot wide from a good chance. And on 23 minutes, Inter came within inches of doubling their lead. Matias Vecino put Romelu Lukaku through on goal, and the Belgian hit the post with Burki stranded.
Thorgan Hazard tried to create something for the hosts and crossed for Mats Hummels, who had his shot blocked. Hazard then tried his luck from distance, but Inter keeper Samir Handanovic was equal to it.
Then came another blow to the hosts. Antonio Candreva tormented BVB in the match in Milan as he scored their second goal. And on 40 minutes, he found Matias Vecino in space and the Uruguayan fired a second into the bottom left corner.
Handanovic made a superb save to keep out a Jadon Sancho effort which was heading for the top corner as the Nerazzurri went into the half with a commanding lead.
BVB needed something quickly, and they got it on 51 minutes when Hakimi fired low into the corner from a Gotze cross and the Yellow Wall erupted.
The players responded, increasing the tempo rapidly. Sancho shot from a tight angle but Handanovic saved at his near post. Manuel Akanji had a close-range shot blocked and Brandt headed a corner narrowly wide.
Hazard came close with two attempts as the hosts poured forward. And on 64 minutes, the roof came off the stadium again when Paco Alcacer picked out Brandt, who fired low into the corner.
And it was bedlam on 77 minutes as Hakimi latched on to a through ball from Sancho and slid it past Handanovic to give Dortmund the dramatic winner.
Key statistics
BVB have been impressive in front of their home fans again this season and the second-half performance was as good as anything.
The hosts peppered Inter’s goal with 21 shots and eventually, the pressure told. But had Lukaku’s first-half shot gone in off the post rather than bouncing out, a three-goal deficit may have been a bridge too far.
The latest Champions League 2019 betting odds rate BVB as a decent outside bet, and based on their second-half showing tonight, it’s worth keeping an eye on them.
What’s next?
There’s plenty more life in Group F for SBOBET Champions League fans but BVB took a huge step with this victory.
Now Lucien Favre’s team must fire itself up again for the Bundesliga clash of the weekend. They head to Bavaria to take on FC Bayern on Saturday in the tea-time kick-off. The champions are fourth in the table and a single point behind the BVB in second.
Make sure you don’t miss that one!
The race at the top of Serie A continues at a pace and Inter is at home to Verona, who have made a good start to the season and are in ninth place.
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