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WASTED DORTMUND CHANCES
Ancelotti’s decision to recall Courtois for his first Champions League appearance of the season after a serious knee injury paid dividends as the Belgian kept his side in the game.
The best chances fell to Adeyemi as Carvajal could not keep up with the pace of the German international.
A brilliant pass by Mats Hummels put Adeyemi clean through, but he took a heavy touch under pressure from Courtois and ran too wide before his shot was blocked by Carvajal.
Fuellkrug’s barrel-chested physique has made him a fan favourite in his first season at Dortmund.
The German international striker came closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time when his effort from Ian Maatsen’s through ball came back off the inside of the post.
Adeyemi was then denied once more by Courtois from a narrow angle and Fuellkrug could not twist his hulking frame to turn in the rebound.
Ancelotti, Nacho and Modric were keen to stress on the eve of the match that Madrid’s habit of finding a way to get over the line in the Champions League was no coincidence.
Having ridden their luck once more in the first half, the Spanish champions found their feet in the second period.
Gregor Kobel was finally forced into a save on 48 minutes from Kroos, who came close to marking the final game of his club career with a spectacular free-kick.
Bellingham was moulded into a world star during three years at Dortmund before leaving for Madrid 12 months ago for more than 100 million euros (US$108 million).
The England international was inches away from biting the hand that used to feed him as he just could not get a telling touch on Vinicius’ teasing cross.
Madrid landed the decisive blow 16 minutes from time when Carvajal rose highest to head into Kroos’ corner.
Kobel then briefly kept his side alive with fine saves from Eduardo Camavinga and Nacho, while Bellingham’s goalbound effort was deflected behind by Nico Schlotterbeck.
But Bellingham did have a moment to savour on his homecoming as his pass teed up Vinicius to kill Dortmund despite Kobel getting a hand to the Brazilian’s powerful shot.
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