BOMB WENT OFF, A GAME WENT ON
It’s advantage Monaco as Dortmund are left in a daze by attack on bus
Less than 24 hours after the original tie was postponed because of three explosions near their team bus, Borussia Dortmund took to the field at signal Iduna Park last night to play their re-arranged Champions League quarter-final first leg. Amid intense security, Monaco showed little room for sentiment as two goals from Kylian Mbappe and a sven Bender own goal saw them take three crucial away goals into next Wednesday’s return leg.
Ousmane Dembele and shinji Kagawa scored in the second half to give Dortmund hope, but the effects of the previous 24 hours were clear for all to see.
Monaco even missed a first-half spot-kick as they set about their hosts with ruthless intent and displayed the same attacking prowess they had previously shown in a 5-3 first-leg defeat to Manchester City at the etihad back in February.
The mutual respect between both sets of supporters was evident inside the stadium as the announcer thanked the Monaco fans for their support during a difficult 24 hours and the crowds stood together singing You’ll Never Walk Alone before kick-off.
Dortmund fans also paid their respects to the visitors for extending their journeys with a message on the scoreboard proceeded with another round of applause and cry of ‘chant for Monaco’.
As the players came out, the home team donned yellow training shirts with a picture of the injured Marc Bartra as a rapturous cheer from the stands went up to show their united front, while fans paid their own tribute by roaring his name when prompted by the stadium announcer.
The defender had surgery for injuries to his arm and wrist after being hurt in the blasts when a window on the coach was shattered as it prepared to leave the team hotel for the game which was originally scheduled for Tuesday.
The match itself delivered the entertainment and goals that it had always promised even before events overtook the importance of the fixture.
Mbappe, tipped to be the next big european star, showcased his pace and power as he earned a 17th-minute penalty.
He surged into the area and was felled by Greek defender sokratis Papastathopoulos, who received a booking, but Fabinho dragged his spot-kick well wide of the post.
Dortmund’s reprieve lasted just two minutes, however, as Monaco went ahead in the 19th minute, though there was a hint of luck. Thomas Lemar found himself in space on the left and squared to Mbappe, who was in an offside position — and Monaco’s fortune did not end there as the striker converted off his thigh, without knowing too much about it.
Things got even better for the French side ten minutes before half-time as they doubled the lead when Andrea Raggi’s delivery from the left was diverted into his own net by Bender.
Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel responded at the break by bringing on Nuri sahin and Christian Pulisic and it had an immediate effect.
After several near misses, they finally got back into the game just before the hour when Dembele stuck the ball into an empty net after neat play by Pierre-emerick Aubameyang and Kagawa. As Dortmund pushed for a leveller, Monaco had a superb chance to restore their twogoal lead with 15 minutes left, when Lemar’s ball set Radamel Falcao free. The striker rounded Roman Burki but blazed over. Monaco were not so wasteful when their next chance arrived in the 79th minute as Mbappe intercepted Lukasz Pisczek’s loose pass, raced clear and sent a shot into the top corner.
It was his 21st goal of the season and only enhances his reputation.
Kagawa gave Dortmund hope, though, five minutes later with a superb goal, controlling Pulisic’s cross and slotting home in style.
Aubameyang could have earned a draw in stoppage time but he headed over and Monaco left Germany as favourites to progress.
Dortmund head coach Tuchel was proud of his side’s second-half effort, saying: ‘The team has shown an incredible character. We have won the second half, the spirit in the second half was great.’
Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim said: ‘We produced a good result but it’s only half-time.’