PSV and Dortmund drew 1:1 in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League.

First modification: 02/20/2024 – 23:23Latest modification: 02/20/2024 – 23:21

2 minutes

Dutchman Donyell Malen, a former PSV player, put the visitors ahead (24) with a powerful shot into the corner of the goal, defended by Argentine Walter Benitez, who could do nothing to stop the goal.

Luuk de Kong, the local team’s captain, leveled the score from the penalty spot (56) after Matt Hummels’ challenge on American Malik Tillman in the maximum penalty area.

Both teams had plenty of chances to win, but a lack of performance, especially from the locals, leaves everything open for the return match.

Before the visitors’ goal, PSV, the outstanding and invincible leader of the Dutch championship, warned Tillman with a shot that went wide of the post (16th).

Malen, who wore the red and white colors of PSV between 2018 and 2021 when he joined Borussia Dortmund, received the ball in the penalty area at too tight an angle but still fired a powerful shot from just inside his own area. A squad that Benitez was unable to respond to.

The 25-year-old footballer did not celebrate the goal against his former team, for whom he scored 55 goals in just 43 matches played.

Having suffered an injury, PSV rushed towards goal with greater intensity, led by Belgian Johan Bakayoko and Mexican Hirving Lozano.

– Meyer hits under the sticks

Since the start of the season, the Dutch side have yet to lose a game at their home stadium, Philips Stadion, and despite the initial setback, they have managed to extend that statistic.

The draw occurred after Matt Hummels’ tackle on Tillman was awarded a penalty, despite protests from the German players who did not consider the knock worthy of a penalty. De Jong’s strike was nearly stopped by a good effort from goalkeeper Alexander Meyer, who started on Tuesday after Swiss Gregor Kobel was injured in the warm-up.

Neither team appeared to settle for a draw and Marius Wolf (71) was on the verge of giving Dortmund the lead again just minutes after coming off the bench. The most striking thing for PSV was the powerful shot of the American Serginho Dest (81), which was saved by Meyer.

The return leg will take place on March 13 at the Westfalenstadion, where the Germans will have to overcome the daunting Yellow Wall to gain the momentum they need to reach the quarter-finals, a stage they have not reached since the 2020/2021 season.

The task is even tougher for the Dutch, who have failed to finish among the top eight teams in Europe’s top competition since the 2006-07 season.

© 2024 AFP