A Luuk de Jong penalty cancelled out Donyell Malen’s first-half strike as PSV and Borussia Dortmund played out a 1-1 draw at Philips Stadion in the last 16 of the Champions League. The result leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg at Signal Iduna Park in three weeks’ time. De Jong’s strike was his 28th of the season in all competitions.
Donyell Malen struck against his former club as Borussia Dortmund secured a 1-1 draw at PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter.
The 25-year-old Dutch international broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when he jinked past two before rifling a rising shot in at the near post via the crossbar.
PSV carved out more openings in a lively first 45 but Malik Tillman twice contrived to miss the target while Johan Bakayoko also fluffed his lines with an awkward volley.
The hosts continued to ask questions following the interval and pulled level through Luuk de Jong’s contentious 56th-minute penalty.
The Eredivisie outfit remained on top in the final stanza of the contest but could not manufacture a clear-cut opportunity to clinch the victory.
The sides will now reconvene for the second leg in Germany on March 13.
TALKING POINT – DORTMUND AND SANCHO FAIL TO IGNITE BUT REMAIN ON COURSE
Plenty of UK eyes were on Jadon Sancho as he returned to the Champions League stage after a tough old time at Manchester United.
It’s fair to say he didn’t rise to the occasion as he clearly lacked confidence in a quiet overall showing.
He wasn’t the only one in a yellow and black shirt. In truth, Dortmund were second best for long periods but will lament the award of a penalty where Mats Hummels took the ball before following into Malik Tillman.
Given the balance of play it may well have been PSV’s best hope of coming through the tie. Indeed, this stage of the Champions League is not a point they often frequent and their profligacy threatened to derail their hopes until that man De Jong saved the day. They will be even bigger underdogs at this juncture and will need to produce something special in Dortmund to reach the last eight for the first time since 2007.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – DONYELL MALEN (BORUSSIA DORTMUND)
It proved to be a fruitful return to his old stomping ground for the Dutch star, who not only netted an important goal to take back to Germany, but he also impressed with powerful and probing runs, particularly in the first half.
PLAYER RATINGS
PSV: Benitez 7, Teze 7, Schouten 7, Boscagli 7, Dest 7, Veerman 8, Saibari 8, Tillman 7, Bakayoko 7, De Jong 8, Lozano 7. Subs: Pepi 6, Mauro Júnior n/a, Obispo n/a.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Meyer 8, Ryerson 7, Hummels 6, Schlotterbeck 7, Maatsen 6, Can 7, Sabitzer 7, Malen 8*, Reus 7, Sancho6, Fullkrug 6. Subs: Brandt 6, Wolf 6, Ozcan n/a, Moukoko n/a.
