When the Champions League reaches the quarterfinals, even the smallest differences between clubs make a difference, and the big ones determine passage to the semifinals. Borussia Dortmund’s defence tonight in Madrid made two cardinal mistakes, which Atletico Madrid’s attack ruthlessly punished, taking a step towards the Champions League final. That step could have easily become unreachable for the popular “Yellow and Blacks,” given that Los Rojiblancos had a two-goal advantage and several chances to settle the qualification question for the next stage of the competition. However, Edin Terzić’s team rose from the ‘ashes’, and Sebastian Haller’s goal in the 81st minute completely changed the impression, as well as the starting positions ahead of the scorching rematch at the Westfalenstadion – 2:0 (2:0).In the first half, Borussia Dortmund looked like a team which is playing it’s maiden season in the Champions League, and not like a team that topped the “Group of Death” with PSG, Milan and Newcastle. They made two costly defensive errors and thus conceded two cheap goals, especially the first one after only four minutes when Kobel’s attempt to pass out from the back to Maatsen was caught by De Paul. Borussia’s veteran Mats Hummels (500 games for Borussia) was late to close Lino, who used a great Griezmann’s pass and sent the ball behind Kobel for the 2-0 lead. Borussia finally woke up in the second half and started it with great aggression, passion, and pressure, they even had more possession of the ball (almost 70%), but Atletico is well known for its defence, and they just sat in their half and soaked up the attacks. They even had a chance for the third, but Lino missed a great opportunity for a brace, or to be precise, Kobel made a fantastic save. When Terzić brought in Sebastien Haller instead of Fullkrug, things changed. The Ivory Coast striker scored the goal of hope for the BVB in the 81st minute, and then Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Julian Brandt both hit the post and nearly silenced the Metropolitano. It will be a real test for Cholo Simeone and his men to defend the 2-1 score in six days against a packed Westfalen and the famous ‘Yellow Wall’. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – QUARTER-FINALSFirst legTuesdayArsenal – Bayern 2-2 (1-2)/Saka 12, Trossard 76 – Gnabry 18, Kane 32(p)Real Madrid – Man.City 3-3 (2-1)/Dias (og) 12, Rodrygo 14, Valverde 79 – Silva 2, Foden 66, Gvardiol 71/WednesdayAtl.Madrid – Dortmund 2-1 (2-0)/De Paul 4, Lino 32 – Haller 81/PSG – Barcelona 2-3 (0-1)/Dembele 48, Vitinha 50 – Raphinha 37, 62, Christensen 77/
