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Strong start, bitter end - Borussia Dortmund missed the fourth entry into the semi-finals of the European elite class after a great fight.

In the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League against Manchester City, the team of coach Edin Terzic lost again 1: 2 (0: 1).

As in the close first leg (1: 2) a week ago, BVB managed to shake the title favorites from England.

After the 1-0 win by Jude Bellingham (15th), the next round seemed close enough to touch.

But the converted hand penalty by Riyad Mahrez (55th) and the goal by Phil Foden (75th) in the empty Signal Iduna Park saved the guests, who now meet in the semifinals on Bayern conqueror Paris Saint-Germain.

For BVB it could have been a farewell to the lucrative Champions League for at least a year.

With seven points behind the Bundesliga fourth, a renewed qualification for the competition seems unlikely at the moment.

The only remaining title option this season is the DFB Cup, in which Dortmund will meet second division Holstein Kiel in the semi-finals at the beginning of May.

The advancement of BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke equated with a "world sensation" was within reach for the black and yellow for a long time.

Because the Bundesliga fifth presented his magnificent top-class face again.

Courageously and consistently in the duels, BVB faced the seemingly overpowering opponent from the island.

The defensive defensive boss Mats Hummels, which was often not so secure this season, defended against the City pass machine in a concentrated and passionate manner.

City star coach Pep Guardiola followed the events from the coaching zone with excitement.

Bellingham with first goal in the Champions League

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The Spaniard should not have liked the first quarter of an hour in particular.

With high pressing, BVB proved that the superior leader from the Premier League is quite vulnerable.

If a long-range shot from Mahmoud Dahoud was still too unplaced (7th), his team-mate Bellingham did better shortly afterwards.

Introduced by striker Erling Haaland, whose future in Dortmund continues to be a topic of discussion, Bellingham skilfully slipped the ball into the goal.

The Englishman couldn't have picked a better time for his first Champions League goal against his compatriots.

At the same time, at the age of 17 years, nine months and 16 days, the midfielder rose to become the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Westphalian premier class.

After his golden shot, Bellingham was in demand on the defensive, because the deficit caused the Citizens to significantly increase their pace.

The ball circulation was kicked off and BVB was constricted in its own half at times.

And it took a certain amount of luck that the Guardiola stars did not make up for the deficit in the first half.

Ex-Bundesliga professional Kevin De Bruyne hit the bar after a mistake by Mateu Morey (25th).

Just a minute later, the Belgian appeared again dangerously, this time Morey had his foot in between and keeper Marwin Hitz prevented an own goal in no time at all.

It was also the Swiss who parried superbly against Mahrez (32nd).

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It is impossible to imagine how high the noise level would have been in a crowded Dortmund arena during this thrilling game.

Because BVB, which has almost lost sight of the Champions League ranks in the Bundesliga, fought sacrificially.

Again and again, Hummels, Emre Can and Co. cheered each other on.

As the twelfth man, the young trainer Edin Terzic would have loved to come to the rescue, but had to leave it with loud cheers.

Terzic had demanded "a top performance against a top opponent" - he was not disappointed.

The constant pressure from Man City continued unabated in the second half.

That couldn't go on forever.

But it was annoying that a hand penalty owed by Can led to an equalization.

The national team headed his outstretched arm himself after a flank.

In contrast to the first leg, this time the penalty against Can was not withdrawn by the video referee.

Mahrez turned ice cold.

Now BVB had to react again, but it was now difficult for them to take action in the penalty area against the English.

Hummels had one with a header just over the goal (68th).

But after a long-range shot from Foden into the near corner when Hitz didn't look good, hopes were gone.

The youngster had already scored the 2-1 winner in the first leg.