It is rare that a team manages to draw with Real Madrid and yet not be completely satisfied. After BVB’s 2-2 draw against the UEFA Champions League ‘royalty’, the Black and Yellows were far from unhappy with the point, yet felt more was possible.

“It feels good not to have lost after being behind twice in the match. But we feel we can do even better,” said Thomas Tuchel, making particular reference to the first-half when Borussia Dortmund put Real Madrid under the cosh right from the get go. “They will suffer without the ball,” promised Gonzalo Castro before the eleventh meeting of the two teams, and he was proven right.

The Black and Yellows managed to have 64% possession, had 10 shots on goal to Madrid’s 2 and 6 goal-scoring opportunities compared to Madrid’s 2. Yet the score was ‘only’ 1-1. Cristiano Ronaldo gave the visitors from the Spanish capital the lead in the 17th minute. “A deficit that wasn’t on the cards,” felt Thomas Tuchel.

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André Schürrle lässt sich nach dem 2:2-Ausgleich gegen Real Madrid feiern.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided the equaliser 2 minutes before half-time. Real’s keeper Navas was unable to hold onto a free-kick from Guerreiro and the ball came back off the head of Varane. “The keeper has to hold onto the ball or push it to the side. That was an error,” Joachim Low said on Sky.

After the break BVB also dominated the match and had chances to score the second goal. After an hour it was Real Madrid however that took charge and made it 2-1 through Varane (68.). “For a long time it felt as if we were going to be unable to turn it around. After the two good chances we suddenly lost some of our mettle and couldn’t find good positions any more, too easily lost the ball and were thrown off our rhythm,” recognised Thomas Tuchel.

Enter Andre Schürrle. The new summer arrival from VfL Wolfsburg was recently injured for two weeks, but was put on for Mario Gӧtze against Real Madrid in the 58th minute and scored right before the end with a powerful left-footed strike under the crossbar to make it a deserved 2-2 (87.). “To score in front of the south stand was an amazing feeling and was a lot of fun.” ‘Schü’ said after the match. As a result of the draw BVB consolidated their position at the top of Group F against Real and prevented the first win for the Champions League ‘royalty’ in Dortmund.

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Julian Weigl: „Wir haben mutig gespielt und gezeigt, dass wir mit unserer jungen Truppe auf dem Niveau mithalten können.“

The public deemed Borussia Dortmund to have as good as won the contest. “Top class for 60 minutes – they dictated the rhythm, created chances and controlled Real’s attacking threat; Borussia Dortmund produced a wonderful display at times,” wrote Spiegel Online. They went on to say, “The tempo with which this Dortmund team is playing, even with its flaws, is impressive.”

„Borussia Dortmund's new kids on the block passed this stern test with flying colours“, adjudged the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. Spanish newspaper Marca recognised: "Three in one; Real still suffering from yellow fever. Another team in yellow, another draw for Real against a dominant BVB.”

André Schürrle’s conclusion was a positive one: “We are definitely able to pit ourselves against big teams in every respect.” Thomas Tuchel described it as “We wanted to try ourselves out at this level. Did we succeed in finding space and playing at the same tempo as we do in the Bundesliga? To we manage to be proactive instead of reactive? At times we succeeded.”

It was more a case of “mixed feelings” for Julian Weigl after the 2-2 score line. Coming back to equalise after having been behind twice was good. “For long periods in the game we were well in the game, had a lot of possession and we always dangerous further up the field. Real Madrid were clinical with their opportunities and scored goals from fewer chances. We played bravely and showed that our young group can keep pace with the best.”

The return leg against Real Madrid takes place on the 7th December. BVB haven’t yet won at the Bernabéu. Yet… (fu)