PLAYER RATINGS | Lille 1-2 Borussia Dortmund (Agg: 2-3): Maximilian Beier BVB’s hero | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund secured their place in the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final with a 3-2 aggregate win over Lille. Going behind after a calamitous Gregor Kobel error that allowed Jonathan David to open the scoring on the night, BVB responded magnificently, forcing Lucas Chevalier into several first half saves. Increasing intensity in the second half, Emre Can levelled the tie from the penalty spot before Maximilian Beier booked Dortmund’s place in the next round.

A tale of two goalkeepers as Borussia Dortmund advance

Ayyoub Bouaddi’s stock continues to rise and the French youth international was at the heart of the evening’s first goal. The 17-year-old won possession to start a Lille counter-attack in the fifth minute. His progressive run pegged Dortmund’s defensive block back which allowed Ismaily to find Jonathan David, who got ahead of Nico Schlotterbeck to prod the ball between Gregor Kobel’s legs, although the Swiss ‘keeper will probably feel he should’ve saved the Canadian’s shot. Lille continued to control possession but it was Dortmund who pressed for an equaliser, coming close with Pascal Groß forcing a goal-line clearance before Lucas Chevalier pulled off a magnificent save to deny Julian Brandt’s header, with follow-up shots from Serhou Guirassy and Brandt blocked on the line. Groß then came close in stoppage time at the end of the first half, the German’s header skimming Chevalier’s bar, but it was Lille who went into the break ahead on the night.

Six minutes after the restart, Borussia Dortmund were awarded a penalty when Serhou Guirassy – formerly of Lille – was brought down by Thomas Meunier, who was awarded a yellow card for his push on the Guinean. Emre Can, who played his part in the build-up with a pre-assist, dispatched his fifth penalty of the season to maintain his 100 percent record. Hákon Arnar Haraldsson – who scored the equaliser in the first leg – forced Kobel into an excellent save moments later before Karim Adeyemi’s effort glanced the crossbar at the other in what was an end-to-end opening 15 minutes of the second half.

Dortmund’s response after the break is the football that we’re accustomed to seeing at BVB. High intensity and attacking with purpose, and their second goal on the night was just that. Kovac made a big call to start Maximilian Beier ahead of Jamie Gittens and the young German attacker repaid his manager’s faith in him with the goal that put Dortmund ahead on aggregate. A superb finish past the excellent Chevalier, Beier and Adeyemi were at the centre of everything that Dortmund did going forward.

But the biggest test came in the final 15 minutes when Kovac’s game management was tested. Ramy Bensebaini rightfully replaced Waldemar Anton, who was on a yellow – which saw Julian Ryerson switch to right-back. Dortmund continued to defend in a low block but, somehow, David found himself unmarked seven yards from goal, forcing Kobel into a save. As Lille pressed for an equaliser, Schlotterbeck and Co. kept the French side at bay, booking their place in the Champions League quarter-finals – a huge result given their Bundesliga form.

Borussia Dortmund Player Ratings

Gregor Kobel (5) – Waldemar Anton (5), Emre Can (6), Nico Schlotterbeck (6), Julian Ryerson (7) – Marcel Sabitzer (5), Pascal Groß (6) – Karim Adeyemi (7), Julian Brandt (6), Maximilian Beier (7) – Serhou Guirassy (7)

Others: Ramy Bensebaini (-), Jamie Gittens (-), Salih Özcan (-), Carney Chukwuemeka (-), Gio Reyna (-)

GGFN | Daniel Pinder