Borussia Dortmund eases into Champions League knockout stage

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Agence France-Presse

6h ago

Reuters

Borussia Dortmund, powered once again by its incredible collection of burgeoning young talent, secured its place in the Champions League knockout stages on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon, a 12th-minute header from Adrian Ramos making the difference.

Thomas Tuchel’s effervescent outfit will now shift its attention to nabbing top spot in Group F; that will likely require a result against fellow powerhouse Real Madrid when the two sides meet on the final matchday of the group stage in early December.

Dortmund now leads the group, two points ahead of the Spanish side, who drew 3-3 at Warsaw Legia on Wednesday.

Dortmund delivered a shock before kick-off at Signal Iduna Park.

Thomas Tuchel suspended star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang “for internal reasons” and his replacement Adrian Ramos hit the first-half winner.

“The coach has taken the decision and it is absolutely correct,” Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky.

The 27-year-old Aubameyang, who has scored 10 goals already this season, is suspended until Thursday and was cut from the matchday squad.

“We completely accept there will be speculation, but internal means internal,” added Tuchel.

Ramos took Aubameyang’s place in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

The Colombia striker needed just 12 minutes to give Dortmund the lead with a looping header in his side’s first real attack.

Germany internationals Julian Weigl and Mario Gotze combined in the box, then Matthias Ginter put in a cross from the right flank. Ramos placed a pinpoint header past Sporting’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio into the top right corner, which held up as the only tally on the day.