“Hammer group” accomplished: Sabitzer celebrates with Dortmund

Defense chief Mats Hummels shone in the 3-1 win at AC Milan, and Marcel Sabitzer also won laurels for his performance. The Austrian international, who was injured before the game, was “biting his gums a bit,” as he explained. There was extra praise from coach Edin Terzic.

“He is extremely important for us. He was a very important transfer for us in the summer because not only does his experience and quality help us bring security and calm to our game, but also because he has the necessary toughness and intensity can,” said Terzic on Sky about the midfielder. Sabitzer prepared the important 2-1 through Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (59th) with a fine pass and showed a strong performance overall – despite unfavorable signs.

Lots of sick players

Sabitzer reported on a number of ailing players in the BVB squad. He himself was also struck. “Compliments to everyone. We showed mentality, defended well, then you can eliminate teams like that,” said the 29-year-old. It was questionable after the opening games that Dortmund would prevail in the group with the Italians, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.

The results were 0:2 against PSG and 0:0 at home against Milan. According to Sabitzer, “a low blow. But we knew that if we won the games against Newcastle, that would give us some breathing room.” In front of 75,000 spectators at the San Siro, Dortmund still threatened to fall into old patterns. An early mistake gave Milan’s Olivier Giroud a chance from the spot, but Gregor Kobel parried the veteran French star’s penalty.

Dortmund then scored a penalty through Marco Reus (10th), and Samuel Chukwueze (37th) equalized. After Bynoe-Gittens’ goal, Karim Adeyemi (69th), who has attracted more negative headlines in recent months, made a preliminary decision. After the “clarified” performance in Milan, according to Sabitzer, Borussia can approach the group’s final home game against Paris on December 13th without any pressure.

Excitement in Paris

The French are on course for second, but there was excitement after the 1-1 draw against Newcastle. Kylian Mbappe only scored the equalizer in the eighth minute of extra time with a controversial penalty. A decision that caused the guests to despair. Coach Eddie Howe still saw a chance for promotion. To do this, the “Magpies” would have to win against Milan at the end and at the same time hope for a defeat by PSG. “We still believe in it,” Howe said.

In Manchester, Erling Haaland wrote football history again. The 23-year-old scored his 40th goal in the Champions League in City’s 3-2 win against RB Leipzig. The Norwegian needed 35 games, ten fewer than the Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy. Haaland scored most of the goals in the City jersey, and he scored a total of 17 times for the English team in the Champions League. There are also 15 goals for Borussia Dortmund and eight for Red Bull Salzburg.

In the Premier League, Haaland had broken the 50-goal mark three days earlier. For Pep Guardiola, questions about his goalscorer were once again on the agenda. “I have to answer that again,” said the Spaniard with a smile. “For the thousandth time, I’m really impressed.” City’s coach says he loves Haaland. “Not just because of his goals.”

Leipzig left frustrated after losing a 2-0 half-time lead. “It’s clear that you can’t keep it up for 90 minutes. But the fact that we conceded three goals in the second half is bitter,” said Nicolas Seiwald. As good as the performance was in the first half and as strong as the defending Champions League champions are, the bottom line was that Leipzig suffered its fourth defeat in the last six competitive games. After all, the Saxons had already made it clear that they would make it into the knockout round before the trip to Manchester. First place is no longer possible after the defeat.