UEFA Champions League
Borussia Dortmund Prevail In Group A
The Bundesliga leaders looked to walk into France searching for their fourth victory in Champions League group stage play. First place of group A was on the line. Monaco, last in the group, had nothing to play for except for pride. French legend Thierry Henry has not gotten off to the start he would have liked since beginning at Monaco.
Guerreiro’s Heroics
It only takes 14 minutes in for Dortmund to get their breakthrough. After the ball is worked around the box, it is crossed in by Maximilian Philipp and put away at the back post by Raphaël Guerreiro. The scrambled defense gives Guerreiro an easy tap in putting the Germans on top of the group for the moment. Monaco’s effort is there but results are not showing. Monaco have a handball dispute in the 26th minute after the ball comes up on Abdou Diallo’s hand, but goes to no avail. Dortmund’s offensive push would continue to fall apart in the final third leaving the door cracked open for the home team.
Dortmund’s Golden Ticket
Monaco’s restart to the half was inspiring, but short lived. Dortmund class left Monaco lacking in creativity and stuck in their own half defending. Dortmund would play out the second half in a cat and mouse battle looking to grab another goal while not allowing Monaco to break forward. Guerreriro would stamp Dortmund’s ticket to group winners with his second goal. With the substitution of team leading scorer Francisco Alcacer, link up with the play of Christian Pulisic leads to his assist to Guerreriro. Dortmund would see out their two goal cushion and finish off as group winners.
Continued Winning
With Dortmund’s win today and Atletico’s draw, the Bundesliga leaders will win their group and should have a favorable matchup in the round of 16. Dortmund were able to rest several of their regular starters gearing up for their match with Werder Bremen this weekend. With only one loss in all competitions, Dortmund look to continue their winning ways. The league leaders look to continue their campaign where they have a seven point lead over second place Borussia M’Gladbach.
Photo credit to BlackandYellow via Twitter
