DORTMUND QUALIFY DESPITE HOME LOSS HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED VIA UNPLUGGED SPORTS Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Zenit on Wednesday. The Russians grabbed the lead through a stunning strike from Hulk early in the first half before Sebastian Kehl equalised before the break. Rondon restored the visitors advantage in the second period but Jurgen Klopps side were able to hold on to a 5-4 aggregate advantage to mark their 200th match in Europes premier club competition with progression to the last eight. Sergey Semak, taking charge of his final Zenit match before Andre Villas-Boas is officially installed as coach on Thursday, at least saw his reign close with a victory at Signal Iduna Park, although his side failed to turn around their first-leg deficit. After five minutes of the first leg, Dortmund were two goals to the good thanks to efforts from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marco Reus, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang almost got the hosts off to another flying start in Dortmund as he headed Marcel Schmelzers cross wide. Axel Witsel had the games first effort on target shortly afterwards as the Belgian tested Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller with a long-range drive. Malafeev was then forced into a relatively routine save from Robert Lewandowski before Hulk produced a stunning effort to open the scoring. Having cut in from the right, the Brazilian hit a wonderful, swerving left-footed strike that gave Weidenfeller no chance. As the Germans responded, Kevin Grosskreutz saw his effort well saved by Malafeev before Sokratis Papastathopoulos headed over from a corner, but for all their possession and forward momentum Dortmund struggled to break down Zenits resolute back line. That was the case until Kehl rose highest to head past Malafeev - breaking his Champions League duck in the process at the 30th attempt. Hulk threatened a repeat of his first-half effort shortly after the break when he sent a free-kick over the crossbar before Viktor Fayzulins shot drifted wide of Weidenfellers post.Rondons winner may have spoiled the evening for Dortmund somewhat - the Venezuelan arriving to meet a cross from the left - but it changed little as Jurgen Klopps men followed Bundesliga rivals and European champions Bayern Munich into the last eight. ift.tt/1d1gktQ
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:20:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015