Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday fought back to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 in their quarter-final second leg, securing a 5-4 aggregate victory and their first UEFA Champions League semi-final since 2013.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, goals from Julian Brandt and Ian Maatsen had Dortmund 2-0 up at halftime.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone made three changes at halftime, including bringing on Angel Correa, whose energy was immediately noticeable. Dortmund’s Mats Hummels conceded a poor own-goal before Correa netted to put Atletico back ahead in the tie.
Photo: AP
However, those goals brought a sluggish Dortmund back to life, with Niclas Fuellkrug and Marcel Sabitzer each scoring in a three-minute period to send the Bundesliga club through.
“It was magical. I try not to go overboard in interviews, but it was really magical. The stadium was on fire today,” Fuellkrug told DAZN.
Former winners Dortmund, fifth in the German top flight and struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, next face Paris Saint-Germain for a place in the final at Wembley on June 1.
“We did give them chances and goals in the 15 minutes after half-time, we have to improve that for sure, but our response to it was sensational,” Brandt said.
Atletico were bidding to reach the last four for the first time in seven years, but fell at the quarter-final stage for the third time in five seasons.
“It was tough,” Atletico captain Koke told Movistar. “This is football and it can be cruel.”
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