In a thrilling match on Wednesday evening, Borussia Dortmund secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over PSV at the Westfalenstadion. The first leg had ended in a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands, leaving Dortmund knowing that a win at home would guarantee their progression.
Dortmund’s dominance and scare from PSV
Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus propelled Dortmund to victory, although the match was not without its tense moments. Despite Dortmund’s dominance, PSV managed to rack up 17 shots, two more than the home team. Moreover, PSV squandered two significant opportunities to potentially force the tie into extra time.
Notably, Luuk de Jong missed a crucial chance late in the game, failing to convert a one-on-one opportunity with Gregor Kobel as his shot sailed over the crossbar. However, Marco Reus ultimately sealed Dortmund’s advancement with a goal in the final moments of the match, calming the nerves at the Westfalenstadion and sending Die Schwarzgelben into the quarterfinals for the second time since 2018.
Coach Terzić’s reflection and ambitions
Following the game, head coach Edin Terzić reflected on the performance, emphasizing the team’s strong start but acknowledging a dip in intensity in the second half. Despite this, Terzić expressed pride in the team’s overall effort and performance, highlighting their ability to play quality football.
Reaching the quarterfinal stage holds significant importance for Terzić and Dortmund, with the coach stressing that it was earned through hard work over the two legs against PSV. Looking ahead, Terzić maintains a positive outlook, noting the team’s ambition to continue performing at a high level in the Champions League.
Looking forward: Dortmund’s next steps
The 2-0 victory over PSV caps off a positive series of matches for Dortmund, who also secured a 2-1 win against Werder Bremen in Bundesliga action over the weekend, maintaining their fourth position in the league table. With their sights set on the Champions League semifinals, Dortmund eagerly awaits the draw to determine their next opponents as they aim to continue their impressive run in Europe’s elite competition.
