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Goalscorer Karim Adeyemi: Victory in Milan
Photograph:
Claudia Greco / REUTERS
One win, one draw – Matchday 5 of the Champions League group stage went well from a German point of view. BVB were able to celebrate reaching the round of <> thanks to a win at AC Milan. RB Leipzig had already secured their place in the knockout stages – and almost defeated defending champions Manchester City.
The game started with a first moment of shock for BVB: First, a cross from Davide Calabria whizzed dangerously close to the goal (5th minute), then referee István Kovács whistled a penalty for Milan after Nico Schlotterbeck had received the ball on his elbow. Olivier Giroud stepped up – but the French national team's record goalscorer couldn't get past Gregor Kobel, who sensed the corner and blocked Giroud's shot with a pike jump to the side (6').
And the game still had nothing in common with the meeting at the beginning of October, when both teams met for a goalless draw. At the other end, Davide Calabria brought down BVB winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Marco Reus converted the penalty to take the lead (10').
A long-range shot from ex-BVB talent Christian Pulisic was again saved by Kobel (23'), Milan's Maignan defused a cross from Donyell Malen (24'). Shortly before the break, Milan increased the pressure – and equalised: Samuel Chukwueze dribbled past Ramy Bensebaini and Bynoe-Gittens before finishing successfully from an acute angle (38').
Without Thiaw, Milan will have problems
After the break, the trend continued, Julian Ryerson blocked a side-footed shot from Pulisic and thus prevented a possible Milan lead (43rd). Then Milan's German national defender Malick Thiaw limped off the pitch, with Rade Krunić only one midfielder available as a reserve for the Italians, who were weakened by substitutes (53').
Dortmund took advantage of the defensive gaps: Bynoe-Gittens scored with a low shot to retake the lead (59th), substitute Karim Adeyemi made everything clear with his first goal of the season (69th).
RB Leipzig missed out on a win against defending champions Manchester City. Thanks to a brace from Loïs Openda in the first half, the Bundesliga club were already 2-0 up at half-time. But at the start of the second half, Erling Haaland reduced the deficit with his 40th Champions League goal for City.
And it got even worse for Leipzig: first Phil Foden equalised for coach Pep Guardiola's team, then Júlian Álvarez turned the game completely in England's favour a few minutes before the end of normal time.
CED/BKA