As of: 02/24/2022 11:23 p.m
Give everything and still achieve nothing: Despite a committed performance, Borussia Dortmund missed out on the round of 16 of the Europa League at Glasgow Rangers.
The “Miracle of Glasgow” didn’t materialize for Borussia Dortmund. After the depressing 2: 4 in the first leg, BVB played 2: 2 (2: 1) at the Rangers on Thursday evening (02/24/2022) in front of 49,000 spectators, including 800 from Dortmund, at the Ibrox Stadium.
James Tavernier (22nd minute) gave Glasgow the lead with a penalty kick, Jude Bellingham (31st) and Donyell Malen (42nd) turned the game around for BVB before the break before Tavernier (57th) pulled the ball out of Borussia.
Hummels puts his finger in the wound
Mats Hummels mercilessly analyzed the reasons for the departure. “First of all we had them completely in the sack in the first half, they were well served. Then we came out of the half very badly, I made the mistake to make it 2-2. We almost felt it. In the end we got it not lost here, but last week in Dortmund,” he said on RTL. The defense chief spoke of a “huge disappointment” and added: “In the end we made far too many individual mistakes, myself included.”
Bellingham fails at the post
Dortmund had gained a lot of self-confidence in the 6-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga and caused a lot of alarm in front of the Rangers goal when trying to catch up. After a corner from Julian Brandt, Bellingham (4th) put the ball on target with a shin, but failed to hit the post. After a pass from Marco Reus, Bellingham (17th) put the ball just wide of the left post from the edge of the penalty area.
BVB defense again with weaknesses
With the two-goal lead from the first leg behind them, Rangers mostly limited themselves to controlling the game and benefited from Dortmund’s well-known defensive problems. After an unnecessary foul by Brandt on Ryan Kent, the “Light Blues” were awarded a penalty, which Tavernier converted safely.
Back pfui, front hui: BVB now shifted offensively up a gear. Glasgow goalkeeper Allan McGregor (25th) parried a direct acceptance of Brandt from the penalty spot. Six minutes later, Bellingham scored from close range to equalize.
Hummels saves on the line
Dortmund’s race to catch up almost suffered a severe setback before the break whistle. But first Scott Arfield failed at BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, the rebound from Alfredo Morelos (36th) scratched Mats Hummels from the line. Things were going better for BVB going forward: Malen was initially denied by McGregor (37′) from a tight angle, before five minutes later he fired Dortmund’s dreams of a “miracle” again from close range.
Defensive mistakes without end
Due to the no longer existing away goals rule, the Dortmunders were now missing a goal to at least reach extra time. But once again, Borussia lost the reward for their offensive efforts through defensive errors. Substitute Marius Wolf was initially unable to prevent a cross from Calvin Bassey from the left wing, then Hummels swung under the ball in the penalty area and Tavernier pocketed the ricochet with a side kick from close range.
VAR prevents early decision
The duel seemed finally decided when Kent (67th) supposedly screwed to 3: 2 for the Rangers. The VAR did not give the goal because Morelos had previously fouled it. After that, the game went back and forth, with clear ball possession in favor of BVB. But Dortmund could no longer prevent the bitter end. The evening ended in ecstasy for the Rangers fans and the bitter Dortmund realization that there was nothing to be gained internationally with this defense.
Source: sportschau.de