In the end, it became unnecessarily exciting: BVB actually had the reins of action in their hands for a long time in this round of 16. Karim Adeyemi had twice set up Serhou Guirassy (14th/24th), who could have scored even more goals before the break. The quick follow-up goal after the break by German Berterame (48th) gave Monterrey a tailwind. However, this did not carry the Mexicans to equalise, even if Sergio Ramos almost managed to make it 2-2 with the very last opportunity in injury time.
Starting situation:
BVB went into this match against the runners-up of Group E as winners of Group F. Both clubs had remained unbeaten in the three previous games: Monterrey picked up five points with two draws and one win, BVB won two matches and only drew against Fluminense, i.e. seven points.
Particulars:
In addition to the players Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Salih Özcan, Jamie Gittens and Carney Chukwuemeka were missing from the matchday squad. Compared to the game against Ulsan HD, there was a change in the starting eleven: Niklas Süle was back, Yan Couto took a seat on the bench. Julian Ryerson moved from the right centre-back position to the wing.
Tactics:
BVB went into the game with the back three that made Dortmund so strong in the final phase of the Bundesliga season: Süle, Anton, Bensebaini. Against the ball, Daniel Svensson and Ryerson moved to the back. Up front, Adeyemi had all the freedom, whirling around the central striker Guirassy, while Jobe Bellingham acted staggered behind him. Against the ball, the latter repeatedly moved into line with Pascal Groß and Felix Nmecha, resulting in a 5-3-2, which turned into a 3-4-3 in possession.
Course of the game and analysis:
Unusual: Niko Kovac stood wrapped in a hoodie on the sidelines. Because in the ultra-modern Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the roof was closed. The air conditioning system dropped the temperatures to about 25 degrees. Pleasant for the players, unusually fresh for all observers.
Nevertheless, Kovac and the 31,442 spectators should have warmed their hearts quickly. Because before their eyes, a fast-paced and varied game developed, in which both sides kept looking for the quick way to the goal. And in the person of Serhou Guirassy, they quickly found it. Dortmund's centre-forward scored with the first real chance to score in the 14th minute after nice work by Karim Adeyemi.
He got an appreciative "thumbs up" from the goalscorer. And Adeyemi also set up the 2-0 (24th), again for Guirassy, who slid into the net from about 14 meters over a defensive leg.
After the half-time whistle, the double goalscorer nevertheless left the pitch with a thoughtful face. Perhaps because he missed several opportunities to score a hat-trick in the first 45 minutes: After 31 minutes, he didn't hit the ball properly from close range. Three minutes later, the shot was right, but Monterrey goalkeeper Andrada was on the spot.
Another important note from the first half: Jobe Bellingham was shown a yellow card after 28 minutes, which means that there will be no "brother duel" between Jobe and Jude in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid (Saturday, 4 p.m. local time, 10 p.m. CEST). It was the second caution for Dortmund's number 77 in the tournament.
Surprisingly, only two goals were scored in the first 45 minutes, because CF Monterrey also had good opportunities. But every time Gregor Kobel was on the spot. Except for the 17th minute: A slipped cross from Corona hit the post. The lead for BVB at half-time was nevertheless deserved.
After the break, the cold shower came straight away: The second half was only three minutes old when the ball was in the BVB goal. Berterame scored with a header after Erick Aguirre had set him up rather involuntarily.
A goal that gave the Mexicans the belief in a comeback. In the 60th minute, Süle disturbed the starting Jesus Corona just in time to finish, so that Gregor Kobel had little trouble fending off the shot. Five minutes later, the ball was even in the BVB goal. The supposed goalscorer Berterame was offside.
With the introduction of Julian Brandt and especially Yan Couto (for Nmecha and Adeyemi), Dortmund regained more stability and longer periods of possession after 71 minutes. Couto lined up half-left in attacking midfield. Previously, Marcel Sabitzer had already replaced Bellingham.
In the 91st minute, the Black & Yellows' hearts slipped into the pants of all those who support BVB: because the header of defensive icon Sergio Ramos missed the post by just centimetres. Kobel would have been beaten. Great luck for BVB, who are in the quarter-finals after 95 minutes and two completely different halves.
