Showing posts with label Niclas Fullkrug. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Niclas Fullkrug. Show all posts

Monday, 22 April 2024

LEVERKUSEN'S UNBEATEN RUN REACHES 45 GAMES WITH 97TH-MINUTE GOAL


Bayer Leverkusen's Josip Stanisic scored a stoppage-time goal for the champions to rescue a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Borussia Dortmund on Sunday and prevent Xabi Alonso's side from suffering their first loss of the season.

Striker Niclas Fullkrug gave Dortmund the lead in the 81st minute with a volley inside the left post, after Marcel Sabitzer teed him up with a lovely cushioned pass before the ball went in off goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky's gloves.

But Stanisic levelled for Leverkusen in the seventh minute of stoppage time, heading home a Florian Wirtz corner to extend the newly-crowned champions' unbeaten run in all competitions to 45 games.

"The goal we conceded hurt, but we kept going and I'm happy with our reaction," Alonso told DAZN. "We're still waiting for our big party. Now we'll recover a bit and then prepare well for Stuttgart, which will be a very exciting game.

"We just don't want to lose. The goal was very emotional, celebrating with the fans was very nice and it means a lot to us all."

Leverkusen, who last weekend secured their first Bundesliga title with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen, are on 80 points from 30 games.

Dortmund, who on Tuesday advanced to the Champions League semifinals with a 5-4 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid, are fifth with 57 points, two points behind fourth-placed Leipzig.

Nathan Tella could have then opened the scoring for Alonso's men from point-blank range in the 68th minute, after Jonas Hofmann squared him the ball inside the box, but Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel showed off his skills to catch the ball on the goalline.

Things got tense between the players and Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface was initially shown a red card for what seemed an unsportsmanlike conduct, but the referee overturned his decision after a VAR check.

Grimaldo had another great chance from a free kick as he sent the ball towards the upper corner that was denied by a stunning save from Kobel, before Stanisic found the record-saving equaliser less than a minute later following a corner.

Leverkusen have not won any of their last four Bundesliga matches against Dortmund, their longest ongoing winless run against any current top-flight side.

- Reuters 

Wednesday, 17 April 2024

DORTMUND ENDS 'ROLLERCOASTER' DAY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS

Borussia Dortmund players celebrate in front of their fans after reaching the Champions League semifinals. Getty Images


 Marcel Sabitzer scored late and set up two goals to send Borussia Dortmund into the Champions League semifinals with a helter-skelter 4-2 win over AtlĂ©tico Madrid on Tuesday.

After losing the first leg of their quarterfinal 2-1 in Madrid, Dortmund had to come from behind twice over two legs to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

Julian Brandt opened the scoring to level the tie before Sabitzer set up Ian Maatsen to give Dortmund a 2-0 lead on the night.

Atlético coach Diego Simeone responded with three changes at the break and they all paid off. A Mats Hummels own goal and goal from substitute Joaquín Correa put the Spanish side back in front on aggregate.

Then Sabitzer set up Niclas FĂŒllkrug in the 71st minute for the Germany forward's first goal after nine scoreless games, and Sabitzer scored himself three minutes later to send Dortmund into the last four.

"That was a rollercoaster, a really great evening," Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said. "It's not always like that for Borussia Dortmund. The last time we were in the semifinals was in 2013. This is a great day for all Borussen."

Dortmund will face Paris Saint-Germain again in the semifinals. PSG progressed to the final four with a 4-1 win at Barcelona. And Dortmund coach Edin Terzic feels his side, who won the Champions League in 1997, are now better prepared to face the French champions, after the Germans lost away and drew at home in the group stage.

"Our first game against them wasn't good. In the second game, we adjusted to them better and were closer to victory. I think we're a better team today than we were against them in the group stage," Terzic said following the win over Atletico.

The final will be played June 1 in London, where Dortmund lost the 2013 final 2-1 to bitter rival Bayern Munich.

Tuesday's win stretched Dortmund's unbeaten run at home in the Champions League to 10 games.

"We were close to tying the game, but they were superior, and when a team is superior they should be congratulated," Simeone said.

Atlético needed goalkeeper Jan Oblak at his best. He denied Brandt, then Karim Adeyemi, before Brandt finally made the breakthrough in the 34th, firing a powerful shot in off Oblak's leg from a difficult angle after eluding former teammate Axel Witsel.

Sabitzer then combined with Maatsen, who surged past two defenders and fired the ball inside the far post in the 39th. It was the Dutch defender's first Champions League goal.

But Atlético only needed four minutes after the break to level the tie when Hummels' attempted clearance of Mario Hermoso's header ended in his own net.

Correa should have scored shortly afterward when he nudged the ball wide. Simeone - dressed sharply in a black suit - flopped to the ground in frustration.

Correa made no mistake in the 64th when he fired in a rebound after his first attempt was blocked.

It put the visitors back in front, but Sabitzer was involved in both goals as Dortmund struck twice in three minutes to send the home fans wild.

"It was a crazy game for the fans and for us. A great game for us, for our fans and for all football fans around the world," Brandt said after receiving his man-of-the-match award.

"It's going to be very serious now against Paris. We played well against them at home in the group stage, but not well away. We want to do better now and, of course, reach the final."

For striker Niclas Fullkrug, who also got on the scoresheet, the Champions League semifinals will be a new experience.

"I've never played at this level before and I'm very proud to be in the semifinals of the Champions League with my team," Fullkrug said. "Things will certainly be different against Paris than in the group stage."

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.

- ESPN News Services