Real Madrid 2 - 2 B. Dortmund (Champions League, Day 4)

Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund played an exciting match in the Bernabeu. The Whites were losing until the 89th minute, but managed to equalise in a match that they deserved to win from what they showed in the second half. Reus put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute and, as happened in Dortmund, Real Madrid needed little time to level up the match. Pepe, five minutes later, scored his first goal for Real Madrid in the Champions League. On half-time, luck was against the team and Arbeloa, whilst attempting to clear the ball, scored the away team’s second goal. The second half was one-sided in favour of the home team their effort got what it deserved with a great Özil goal from a direct free-kick. The Whites, who had a goal from Callejon wrongfully disallowed, are just one point off of the lead and are ahead of their next two opponents Ajax and Manchester City who are on three on five points respectively. All to play for in the 'group of death'.

Real Madrid could not defeat Dortmund for the second time

League champions and top scorer this season's Champions League against the Bundesliga winners and one of the few remaining unbeaten teams in the competition. A great night of football was on offer in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium and the match did not disappoint anyone. With Varane and Xabi Alonso as the only changes from the previous match, Real Madrid made their intentions clear from the beginning. In fact, Higuaín had the first chance of the match following a long pass from Ramos but he missed by inches in a one-on-one with Weidenfeller. The Germans did not flinch at this initial warning and they continued to play their own game with the ball at their feet.

The match was balanced, exciting and very back and forth. It was played at a frantic pace and the chances came one after another. Schmelzer, following a great assist from Reus, found himself in front of Casillas, but the Whites’ ‘keeper successfully stopped the shot in the 9th minute. The home team had an opportunity 13 minutes later. Higuain’s lay off for Ronaldo who he arriving in the area, but the Portuguese’s shot went over the bar.

Everything indicated that there were goals on there way. That is what happened, although it was the Germans who struck first in the 28th minute. A long pass which was flicked on with a head from Lewandowski and Reus controlled the ball with his chest and finished with a sharply taken volley. 0-1 and everything going against the home team. It was the moment to react and the Whites did so, as they did in the previous match played in Dortmund. In Signal Iduna Park the reply came two minutes later, today it took four more to level the match. Varane won the ball on the edge of the opposition’s penalty area and played the ball to Özil, who crossed from the right wing. Pepe, who had gone up for the corner in the preceding passage of the play, finished with a header. 1-1 and the Portuguese’s first goal in the Champions League for Real Madrid. The defender kissed the club’s crest in celebration and lifted the Santiago Bernabeu crowd who increased the decibels hoping for the winning goal.

Real Madrid pressed and tried to put the Borussia on the ropes, but when it seemed as though the break would arrive with the scores level, the Germans’ second goal came. It was very similar to the away team’s first goal. Hummels again cleared the ball long and Lewandowski flicked it on. The ball fell at the feet of Grosskreutz, who played a perfect first touch pass for the arriving Götze. The Whites had some bad luck as Arbeloa, whilst attempting to clear the ball, put it passed Casillas in the 45th minute.

Real Madrid made two changes at the break. Mourinho brought on Essien and Callejón for Modric and Higuaín, who had been clutching the back of the leg repeatedly during the first half. The Whites’ academy player needed just two minutes to score, but the goal was wrongfully ruled-out for offside. The Whites were completely blowing Borussia away. Real Madrid had two more chances inside the first quarter of an hour, both falling to the newly introduced Callejón, but he shot wide with the first in the 49th and straight at Weidenfeller with the other in the 60th minute.

The Whites’ coach, bravely went for broke and brought off Arbeloa for Kaka in the 76th minute. Three minutes later the Brazilian took the ball into the box and handed laid it off to Di Maria, who tried a pass with the outside of his foot and Ronaldo, in front of goal, saw his shot stopped by an inspired by Weidenfeller. The home side’s dominance was overwhelming and the Whites continued to great chances. Bad luck prevented them getting the equalising goal. That is the only way to explain how they did not score in the 85th minute. Callejon shot from inside the area and with the goalkeeper beaten Schmelzer appeared on the goal line and cleared the ball. The Whites did not give up and their efforts got their deserved reward in the 89th minute with a great goal for Özil from a direct free-kick. Another epic win was on, but it was not possible. Real Madrid, who are only one point off of the lead, are three points ahead of Ajax and five in front of Manchester City, who are their next two opponents.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 76,000
Goals: 0-1, m.28: Reus; 1-1, m.35: Pepe; 1-2, m.45: Arbeloa (o.g.); 2-2, m.88: Özil.