Approaching this game, Dortmund seemed a side shot of confidence, with just 2 wins and a draw in their last 6 games, interim coach Edin Terzic’s departure was announced for the summer, with Gladbach boss Marco Rose having signed a pre-contract agreement. Sevilla couldn’t have been in better form, with 6 wins from the last 6, recently going viral for a ridiculous team goal. Los Nervionenses, the current Europa League holders entering the knockout stage looking for further success on the continent.
BVB have failed to keep a clean sheet so far in 2021, with any hope of tonight being their first squandered on 7 minutes as Suso’s effort from outside the box was deflected twice to take it past Marvin Hitz. 1-0 to the home side. The lead didn’t last long however, Erling Haaland picking up the ball out wide, knocking it between the pressing Sevilla defenders and laying it inside to Mo Dahoud. A few touches forward before chopping back on to his write foot and a bending effort into the right top corner, the 25 year olds first Champions League strike.
After Suso’s goal, Sevilla didn’t seem keen to push for a second, however Dortmund definitely didn’t share the same response. Hitting the Spanish side with counter attack one after another. The Sevilla defence didn’t take long to crack again, with Haaland leading BVB forward, playing a smart pass into Sancho who sublimely flicked it back to the Norweigan, poking it past Bonou on the half volley to make the score 1-2 in the visitors favour.
The next big chance came to Haaland again, played through by goalscorer Dahoud and somehow generating an immense amount of power on the strike, saved well by Bounou. Papu Gomez hit a volley after a corner was cleared, the deflection sending the ball high into the air, Diego Carlos leaping to win the header but not quite beating Hitz. Sevilla seemed to lose all speed on the ball, sloppy play leading to a loose pass from Rakitic towards Gomez in the 43rd minute, intercepted by Marco Reus. Dortmund carried the ball towards the Sevilla goal with a 3 on 1, Reus taking his time before inevitably laying it square to you know who, 2 goals for Haaland in the first half leaving the score 1-3 at the break.
Ivan Rakitic’s night came to an end as he was replaced by Gudelj at halftime, Lopetegui looking to sure things up in what had been a poor midfield performance in the first 45. The first 15 minutes of the second half went by offering few chances for either side, more of a problem for Sevilla chasing the game. En-Nesyri had been a passenger throughout, offering little to no service for a player who has been so effective in LaLiga winning the recent player of the month award. He was replaced by Munir, as Lopetegui made his 2nd, 3rd and 4th substitutes on 60 minutes. Luuk De Jong and Oliver Torres came on to replace Suso and Pupu Gomez. The changes seemed to make an instant impact, Sevilla more confident in possession and started to create chances.
Once again the next big flurry of opportunities went Dortmund’s way, Haaland doing ever so well to win the ball off of Gudelj who took far too long on the ball. 17 year old Jude Bellingham was set outside of the box, firing an effort into the bodies in front of the Sevilla goal. Young Oscar Rodriguez was bought on as Lopetegui made his final change of the night. The Spaniard almost made an instant impact, striking a free-kick from the edge of the box onto the post, rebounding away off of Hitz to safety.
Luuk De Jong pulled one back for Sevilla in the 84th minute, a simple cross from Oscar fell to the Dutch striker who had snuck behind Can. A volley into the far corner of the net gave Hitz absolutely no chance, a potential lifeline for the hosts. From there Sevilla turned it on, upping the tempo and piling on the pressure. Sancho had a big chance to make it 4-2 when he cut back on to his left foot, firing just wide of the far post.
Despite the late fight back from Sevilla, Dortmund held out to take the tie back to Germany with a 2-3 lead. The second leg certainly sets up to be a fascinating one, both sides very much still with a chance of making it through.
In the evening’s other game, Porto took an early lead against Juventus, before doubling that lead just 19 seconds after the start of the second half through Moussa Marega. Fedirico Chiesa’s 82nd minute finish pulled an important away goal back for The Old Lady to take into the second leg in Turin.
Elsewhere Burnley and Fulham drew 1-1 in the only Premier League game of the night, goals from Ola Aina and Ashley Barnes. Man City further extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win away to Everton, goals from Foden, Mahrez and Bernardo Silva with the Toffee’s strike coming through Richarlison.