Borussia Dortmund and Milan played 90 or more spirited minutes but they could not change the first 0-0 and, after two days of Group F, one at the death, they still did not score a goal.
The two teams close the classification. Milan, who have two points after 0-0 on their debut against Newcastle at San Siro, while Dortmund have one since they started losing against PSG (2-0). Newcastle are top, with 4, after beating the French 4-1 today (3).
Despite the lack of goals, the game is by no means boring. Borussia Dortmund took more of the initiative in the game but Milan gave a sense of danger every time they made contact with Rafael Leao.
The balance was consistent even though chances, especially in the first half, fell to Dortmund. Less than half an hour into the game when the Germans intensified their dominance and created several consecutive plays that almost ended in a goal.
Dortmund intensified its dominance
The best chance for Edin Terzic’s team came in the 27th minute. Donyell Malen receives it on the edge of the area, the ball is changed to his feet, a gap is created but his shot goes just wide of the post.
This action was followed by three other attempts by Niclas Füllkrug, Julian Brandt (with an amazing bicycle kick that was a bit forced to rise) and Ramy Bensebaini who was not surprised to an ever-confident Mike Maignan. Moments before the break, Yunus Musah was instrumental in preventing a goal from a corner on the same line.
Leao, Milan’s great asset
Milan, without Bennacer, Krunic or Loftus-Cheek in the construction zone, struggled to create play, so Leao’s always dangerous forays, despite being closely guarded, were their main resource.
A chipped shot by Oliver Giroud, a few meters from the goal, after the ball fell to him and a shot from Theo Hernández. both over the crossbar, Milan’s chances at the busy end of the first half.
Dortmund dominated but didn’t pull a punch
After the break, Christian Pulisic, after receiving a course from Leao, had a goal with a half-turn shot against his former team but Gregor Kobel kept it out. A scare that paved the way for another period of dominance for Dortmund, who fell just short of victory in the end as they were goalless in the final metres.
Terzic brought it Karim Adeyemi, Felix Nmecha and young Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to give new impetus to their attack, but there was no clear-cut chance for several minutes until Leao came back in charge in a final round-trip stretch.
Chukwueze stepped in and got the win
The Portuguese put in a good cross that Theo Hernández barely raised and also a ball that the newcomer received with space. Samu Chukwueze, but the former Villarreal player recognized Kobel.
In the end, the solidity of the defenses was stronger, the German led by veteran Mats Hummels and the Italian with Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori in the axis. The draw did not satisfy anyone and added uncertainty to their future in the Champions League. A double confrontation awaits Dortmund against Newcastle and Milan against PSG. There is a reason why this is the group of death.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND
00
MILAN
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Emre Can, Özcan; Brandt (Adeyemi, 64′), Reus (Felix Nmecha, 72′), Malen (Bynoe-Gittens, 72′); Füllkrug (Moukoko, 85′)
The
Milan: Magnan; Calabria (Florenzi, 69′), Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernández; Musah, Reijnders, Pobega (Yacine Adli, 58′); Pulisic (Chukwueze, 70′), Giroud (Okafor, 69′), Rafael Leão
The
Objectives: None
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland). Yellow for Schlotterbeck (19′), Reijnders (23′), Emre Can (25′), Hummels (81′), Musah (88′)
Spectators: 81,365 at Signal Iduna Park
see the match sheet
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
