Borussia Dortmund held to UEFA Champions League first-leg draw by PSV
Donyell Malen's first-half strike earned Borussia Dortmund a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against PSV at the Philips Stadion.
PSV 1-1 Borussia Dortmund Goals: 0-1Malen 24' (assist: Sabitzer), 1-1 De Jong 56' (pen.)
Dortmund came into this clash unbeaten in 2024 while also topping their Champions League group earlier in the season, but they were put under pressure by the Eredivisie leaders during the first half. Malik Tillman, on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the campaign, was a particular danger and had a fantastic opportunity to break the deadlock in the 16th minute. However, he pulled his low effort wide of the post from the edge of the area. Later on, Johan Bakayoko bundled wide after being found in a good position at the back post, while Ismail Saibari forced a strong save from Alexander Meyer, who was a late inclusion in the starting XI after Gregor Kobel suffered an injury in the warm-up. Despite the hosts' positive display, though, Die Schwarzgelbenhad their noses in front at the interval. Malen had already tested PSV shot-stopper Walter Benítez with a low effort before breaking the deadlock shortly after the midway point of the half when his attempt from a tight angle took a slight deflection off Sergiño Dest before hitting the crossbar and bouncing over the line.
Within 15 minutes of the restart, though, that advantage was erased as PSV restored parity. Mats Hummels appeared to have won the ball when tackling Tillman in the penalty area, but referee Srđan Jovanović awarded a penalty in favour of the hosts. From 12 yards, former Borussia Mönchengladbach centre-forward Luuk De Jong made no mistake, firing his spot-kick down to Meyer's right. The Dutch outfit looked to make their momentum count even further as Saibari and Hirving Lozano tried their luck, but neither effort troubled Meyer between the sticks. Down the other end, only a leaping Benítez kept out substitute Marius Wolf's instinctive backheel from creeping in. Although Bakayoko and ex-Augsburg man Ricardo Pepi both had attempts as the match approached its climax, Meyer was equal to both as he helped his side stay on level terms. Ultimately, Dortmund were not at their best, but they now have a good opportunity to get the job done at Signal Iduna Park, where the two teams will play the second leg on 13 March.
Match stats
Malen scored 55 goals and got 24 assists in 116 appearances for Eindhoven before his 2021 move to Dortmund, where he has 30 goals and 17 assists in 102 games.
His effort here was the first time in his career that he has found the back of the net in a Champions League knockout clash.
Dortmund are now unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, with their last defeat coming on 9 December against RB Leipzig (3-2).
They have also lost just one of their previous five Champions League away games in the Netherlands.
Dortmund are yet to taste defeat against PSV, with this the third meeting between the two sides.
Terzić's men have scored in all but one of their seven European matches this season.
Teams
PSV: Benítez - Teze, Schouten, Boscagli (Obispo 90'), Dest - Tillman, Veerman, Saibari (Mauro Júnior 83')- Bakayoko, De Jong (c), Lozano (Pepi 75') Unused subs: Drommel, Waterman, Sambo, Ramalho, Babadi, Van Aanholt Out: Lang (hamstring), Ledezma (match fitness) Coach: Peter Bosz
Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg Round of 16, 1st leg Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
90'
+ 7
Full-time! PSV 1-1 Dortmund
It's all square in the tie after a competitive first leg ends 1-1 in Eindhoven. Malen gave BVB the lead, but the Bundesliga club were pegged back by De Jong's second-half penalty. So it's back to the Signal Iduna Park, where the Black-Yellows will be quietly confident of booking their place in the quarter-finals, on 13 March.
Full-time
90'
Injury time
PSV lose Boscagli to injury as the fourth official's board indicates six added minutes. Can BVB take advantage of that defensive reshuffle?
It's been a lonely shift at the office for Füllkrug, who's replaced by young Youssoufa Moukoko. Salih Özcan is also on to shore things up for the final eight minutes or so, with the energetic Malen heading off.
Dest has a go from a tight angle for PSV, but Meyer's equal to it with a strong pair of wrists.
76'
Routine save
Bakayoko cuts inside of Maatsen, but his shot is easy for Meyer. Feels like there's another goal in this...
75'
Remember Pepi?
Pepi's the first change of the night for PSV. The American failed to scored in 16 appearances for Bundesliga side Augsburg, but has found a lot more joy in the Netherlands. He has seven goals this season, adding to the 13 he scored for Groningen last term. Mexico's Hirving Lozano makes way.
Maatsen sends a free-kick towards the near post. Wolf tries to flick it goalwards, but a combination of Benitez and the woodwork keep it out!
70'
Safe hands
Meyer comes to claim Teze's deflected cross. He's been a commanding presence in the BVB area, despite being thrown in at the deep end just 13 minutes before kick-off. Then again, he has played in the competition five times before.
68'
Another change
Sancho's been a little subdued tonight. On comes the more defensive-minded Marius Wolf.
The Dortmund goalscorer forces Benitez into a diving save with a shot from a tight angle. He then receives a corner from Reus, but can't get the ball out from under his feet.
56'
PSV are level
De Jong scores from the penalty spot to cancel out Malen's first-half goal. Meyer went the right way, but couldn't get his hands to the ball. We're all square again.
Bakayoko gets the better of Maatsen and cuts a pass back for Saibari, whose well-struck effort is beaten clear by Meyer. PSV have really had a go at Dortmund since going behind...
38'
Napping
Bakayoko escapes the attentions of the Dortmund defence to meet Saibari's cross into the area. Luckily for Hummels & Co., the PSV forward puts his effort wide of the far post.
35'
Painful one
Sabitzer's OK to continue after blocking a fierce hit from Lozano. That really knocked the wind out of the BVB midfielder!
The Don
Malen scored 55 goals and got 24 assists in 116 appearances for Eindhoven before his 2021 move to Dortmund. He didn't celebrate in a show of respect to his former employers, but that was some finish.
Tillman with a glorious chance to bring PSV level, but he heads Veerman's cross wide before the whistle sounds for an offside against the German-American forward.
24'
What a goal!
Malen reminds PSV fans what they're missing with a superb goal to break the deadlock. The Dutchman drives past two opposition players on the edge of the area before arrowing a stunning finish into the top corner, off the underside of the bar. That's his fifth goal in six competitive games since the turn of the year!
Sancho wins a corner that's whipping by Reus. Schlotterbeck goes up for it, but can't keep his header down.
18'
Over!
Füllkrug heads over after good work between Reus and Sancho. BVB are beginning to find joy in attack...
16'
Close!
PSV respond with a chance forged in the Bundesliga as De Jong feeds Tillman, who drags a shot narrowly wide.
15'
Dortmund half chance!
Malen springs to life with a burst of pace that takes him past Veerman, but Benitez gets down in the box to make the save.
13'
Warning shot
Bakyoko receives a pass from out wide, before miscuing his attempt. PSV are doing everything to get the ball out to their wide players...
11'
Denied!
Eindhoven go on the offensive again, but Tillman's shot is blocked by Can. The Bayern loanee has five goals so far this season...
8'
Standing firm
Dortmund are having a lot of defending to do in the early stages. They haven't been allowed to get the ball down and play just yet.
4'
Füllkrug concern
The Dortmund striker was moving gingerly a moment ago, but looks like he'll try to run this off. Just as well - he's been in fine form with six goals in his last five outings.
2'
Crafty veteran
Hummels has only played twice this year, but that's a superb challenge by the 35-year-old defender to stop Saibari bursting into the BVB area.
1'
Under way in Eindhoven!
Can Dortmund take charge of their Champions League last-16 tie? Here's hoping!
Kick-off!
++++BREAKING: KOBEL INJURED IN WARM-UP++++
Dortmund's No.1 has a muscular problem, so Alexander Meyer will deputise between the posts.
Terzić's view on PSV
"We have huge respect for the task ahead of us and for our opponents. PSV are doing exceptionally well. They are technically extremely good, quick, strong dribblers, dangerous in front of goal and don't concede many at the other end. Doing that takes more than just a good philosophy – it takes good players, too."
Dortmund have lost only two of their last 12 Champions League matches, winning and drawing five apiece. BVB were only beaten once in the groups, losing to PSG on Matchday 1 before going unbeaten through their next five and topping the section.
More on those teams
Niklas Süle is ill and Julian Brandt drops to the Dortmund bench, with Mats Hummels recalled in defence and Donyell Malen passed fit to face his former club. PSV's Peter Bosz, meanwhile, names Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillmann in his starting XI, along with ex-Gladbach striker Luuk de Jong. Former Leverkusen and Mainz defender André Ramalho and ex-Augsburg forward Ricardo Pepi are among the substitutes.
Edin Terzić's men conceded 25 goals in their opening 17 league matches of the season; impressively, they have shipped just two in their last five.
Bosz knows Dortmund strength
Bosz (pictured during his time at Dortmund) is looking forward to certain reunions…and not others: "Most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing the people who still work there, to Marco Reus, and above all Julian Brandt, who I know from Leverkusen. He's a really good player, I'm looking forward to seeing him again. I hope he won't play against us."
PSV boss Peter Bosz spent barely six months in charge of Dortmund between June and December 2017. In 24 games at BVB, he recorded eight wins and seven draws before being replaced by Peter Stöger.
A chance for reunions
There are a number of familiar faces to both clubs. Donyell Malen (pictured) made his goalscoring reputation with PSV, netting 55 goals in 116 appearances for them before his summer 2021 move to Germany, while the on-loan Ian Maatsen spent three years at the PSV youth academy before joining Chelsea in 2018. Malen is a doubt after missing the weekend's draw with Wolfsburg due to a knee injury. "We didn't want to take a big risk, and we hope he'll be with us on Tuesday," said sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
Dortmund can have confidence though having come through what was widely regarded as the toughest group in this season's competition. They finished top of Group F ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle United, securing progress with an impressive 3-1 win in Italy.
Familiar territory for Dortmund
Dortmund have reached this stage of the competition in five of the last six seasons, though have only progressed once in their last four attempts.
Hi there!
Welcome to live text commentary of Borussia Dortmund's Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against PSV Eindhoven. We'll have all the build-up to kick-off at 9pm CET on Tuesday.
