Traditions are made to be broken, but tonight in Eindhoven, Borussia kept theirs intact. In the first leg of the Round of 16 of the Champions League, Bundesliga‘s runner up is undefeated so far in 2024 in all competition, after drawing 1-1 with Dutch champions. PSV, led by former Borussia coach Peter Bosch are also in impressive form and are unbeaten in Eredivisie since the beginning of the season, so both teams found it hard to beat one another. The decision who will advance to the next stage will therefore be decided in front of 81365 wild fans at Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.1 – Donyell Malen is the first Dutchman to score against a Dutch team in the Champions League since Arjen Robben for Bayern Munich against PSV in October 2016, while he is the first ever to do it in the knock-out stages. Homecoming. pic.twitter.com/Jk3qR5ZbiB— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) February 20, 2024 Apart from Bosch being Dortmund‘s coach, Borussia‘s Donyell Malen was the main striker for PSV, scoring 55 goals (and 24 assists) in 116 appearances for Eindhoven before his 2021 move to Dortmund, where he has 29 goals and 17 assists in 101 games. Tonight, he continued his scoring spree with a fantastic volley after which he didn‘t celebrate, as a sign of respect towards his former club. Dortmund have lost only two of their last 12 Champions League matches, as they came out (surprisingly) as the first team in the Group of ‘Death‘ with PSG, Newcastle and AC Milan. The BVB faced a problem just minutes before the start of the match as keeper Gregor Kobel was injured during warm-up and backup Alexander Meyer had to come in.It was all half-chances for both teams before the opening goal, which was a true beauty by former PSV man Malen in the 24th minute. The Dutchman drove past two opposition players on the edge of the area before arrowing a stunning finish into the top corner, off the underside of the bar, just in front of Barca‘s Sergino Dest, who was late to cover. It was his fifth goal in six games since the beginning of 2024. Bayern Munich‘s loanee Malik Tillman had a glorious chance to bring PSV level, but he managed to head the ball just near the post, before the referee whistled for offside. PSV had another good chance, but this time it was reserve keeper Meyer who saved Saibari‘s shot.The second half started perfectly for the hosts as they were awarded the penalty kick in the 54th minute. Tillman went down under Hummels’ challenge, and the Borussia defender touched the ball first, but also hit the PSV player on the ankle, so VAR check confirmed the initial rule on the field and Luuk De Jong (who else) leveled the match. Dortmund had a great opportunity to take the lead again, but Wolf‘s shot didn‘t went into the net with the combination of keeper Benitez and the woodwork. That was basically the last chance as both teams didn‘t show much in the last 15 minutes of the game.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE1/8 finalsTuesdayCopenhagen – Man.City 1-3 (1-2)/Mattsson 34 – De Bruyne 10, Silva 45+1, Foden 90+3/RB Leipzig – Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)/Diaz 49/WednesdayPSG – Sociedad 2-0 (0-0)/Mbappe 58, Barcola 71/Lazio – Bayern 1-0 (0-0)/Immobile 69 pen/Tuesday the 20thInter – Atletico Madrid 1-0 (0-0)/Arnautovic 79/PSV – Borussia Dortmund 1-1 (0-1)/De Jong 56 pen – Malen 24/Wednesday the 21st23:00: (4.10) Porto (3.50) Arsenal (1.90)23:00: (2.70) Napoli (3.35) Barcelona (2.60)***odds are subject to change***
