Enlarge image

Dortmund goalscorer Jamie Bynoe-Gittens celebrated the 2-1 lead

Photo: Claudia Greco / REUTERS

One win, one defeat – Matchday 5 of the Champions League group stage went differently from a German point of view. BVB were able to celebrate reaching the round of <> thanks to a win in Milan. RB Leipzig had already secured their place in the knockout stages – and almost defeated defending champions Manchester City.

The game started with a first moment of shock for BVB: First, a cross from Davide Calabria whizzed dangerously close to the goal (5th minute), then referee István Kovács whistled a penalty for Milan after Nico Schlotterbeck had received the ball on his elbow. Olivier Giroud stepped up – but the French national team's record goalscorer couldn't get past Gregor Kobel, who sensed the corner and blocked Giroud's shot with a pike jump to the side (6').

And the game still had nothing in common with the meeting at the beginning of October, when both teams met for a goalless draw. At the other end, Davide Calabria brought down BVB winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Marco Reus converted the penalty to take the lead (10').

A long-range shot from ex-BVB talent Christian Pulisic was again saved by Kobel (23'), Milan's Maignan defused a cross from Donyell Malen (24'). Shortly before the break, Milan increased the pressure – and equalised: Samuel Chukwueze dribbled past Ramy Bensebaini and Bynoe-Gittens before finishing successfully from an acute angle (38').

Without Thiaw, Milan will have problems

After the break, the trend continued, Julian Ryerson blocked a side-footed shot from Pulisic and thus prevented a possible Milan lead (43rd). Then Milan's German national defender Malick Thiaw limped off the pitch, with Rade Krunić only one midfielder available as a reserve for the Italians, who were weakened by substitutes (53').

Dortmund took advantage of the defensive gaps: Bynoe-Gittens scored with a low shot to retake the lead (59th), substitute Karim Adeyemi made everything clear with his first goal of the season (69th).

RB Leipzig missed out on a win against defending champions Manchester City. Thanks to a brace from Loïs Openda in the first half, the Bundesliga club were already 2-0 up at half-time (13'/33'). Curiously, the assist for the first goal was provided by RB keeper Janis Blaswich with a long ball.

But at the start of the second half, Erling Haaland reduced the deficit with his 40th Champions League goal for City (54th). And it got even worse for Leipzig: first Phil Foden equalised for coach Pep Guardiola's team (70th), then Júlian Álvarez turned the game completely in favour of England a few minutes before the end of normal time (87th).

After all, Leipzig showed a much better game than eight months ago, when the team lost 0-7 to City in the second leg of the Champions League round of <> at the same venue. However, Leipzig can no longer achieve the group victory, the team had already qualified for the round of <> before the game.

CED/BKA