By SABC Sport
11th April 2024
Down two goals within the first 32 minutes, Dortmund's resilience shone through as they pulled one back, courtesy of Sebastien Haller, keeping their semi-final aspiration alive heading into the return leg next week.
Reflecting on the 2-1 defeat in Madrid, BVB coach Edin Terzic acknowledged his team's initial errors, emphasizing the importance of rectifying mistakes swiftly at this elite level.
"Everything remains open. The first 30 minutes were not good enough. Often, at this level, it's already over if you make so many mistakes. But we didn't accept that and still managed to show what we're capable of," Terzic commented to DAZN.
Despite the disappointment, Terzic highlighted Dortmund's commendable reaction, suggesting that a draw wouldn't have been unjust. Looking ahead to the home leg, he emphasized the significance of learning from their Madrid experience to strategise effectively.
Echoing Terzic's sentiments, Dortmund captain Emre Can admitted the challenges faced against a formidable Atletico side. "On such a night, one can also go under... there were phases where they completely overpowered us in the duels," Can remarked.
Nonetheless, he remained optimistic about the outcome, affirming that the 2-1 result keeps the tie wide open for the return fixture.
Despite the defeat, Dortmund showcased glimpses of promise. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Julian Brandt came agonizingly close to leveling the score, hitting the crossbar in dramatic fashion.
With such near misses, Dortmund's fortunes could swiftly turn around in the second leg, particularly if they secure an early goal.
Before gearing up for the crucial return leg, Dortmund face a Bundesliga showdown against Monchengladbach on Saturday, providing an opportunity to regroup and fine-tune their tactics for the Champions League encounter.