(PSV – Borussia Dortmund 1–1) He scored a fantastic goal. But Donyell Malen dampened the celebrations.
DREAM GOAL: Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen at his old home ground. Photo: JOHN THYS / AFP / NTB
Tuesday 20 February at 23:16
The Dutchman scored 40 goals for PSV before being brought to Germany in 2021. On Tuesday, Malen was back in Eindhoven in the round of 16 in the Champions League.
He made his mark quickly, and after 24 minutes the Philips Stadium was struck. The goal ended up far to the right on the pass from Marcel Sabitzer.
But clicked. The ball went like a projectile into the goal via a PSV leg and into the nearest cross. Home goalkeeper Walter Benitez did not reach his nearest corner.
Donyell Malen stretched two index fingers towards the sky before showing with both hands that he wanted to limit the celebrations against the club where he became a class player.
STAR HIT: Donyell Malen hits perfectly. Photo: PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW / Reuters / NTB
With Julian Ryerson at right back, Dortmund led 1–0 at half-time. Lyngdølen had a good grip on the Mexican star Hirving Lozano. The latter received a yellow card after a duel with the Norwegian.
The national team player impressed with a solid match.
Ian Maatsen on the opposite Dortmund back had far greater problems. It was not his fault that PSV went into the break goalless.
GOOD RYERSON: Julian Ryerson had the roof on Hirving Lozano in Eindhoven. Photo: PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW / Reuters / NTB
It straightened after the rest.
VAR had to act for the situation where Dortmund veteran Mats Hummels was involved. But PSV were awarded a penalty 11 minutes into the second half. Captain forward Luuk de Jong scored the penalty. The 33-year-old’s goal number 22 of the season in the league and European Cup.
But PSV did not get the victory they had wanted before the return leg in Germany.
Jadon Sancho got 68 minutes for Dortmund – without creating much.
MATCH WINNER: Austrian Marko Arnautovic scored for Inter. Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP / NTB
In Milan, Marko Arnautovic ensured that Inter got a good starting point before the return match against Atlético Madrid. The 34-year-old Austrian is on loan from Bologna and came on as a substitute. He masterfully put in a rebound from Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak after a Lautaro Martinez chance.
– We really deserved to win, says Arnautovic after the Inter victory.
But last season’s finalist had to settle for one goal and faces a grown-up task in Spain.
Atletico’s national team striker, Álvaro Morata, received a yellow card and must sit out the return leg.