Borussia Dortmund, although held to a 1-1 draw by RSC Anderlecht, secured the top spot in Group D on basis of goal difference, as the last round of Champions League group-stage games were played today.
Without first choice centre back Mats Hummels and with the likes of Weidenfeller and Blaszczykowski on bench, Klopp ran out a relatively weakened line-up with qualification to the knock-outs already assured. Nuri Sahin returned to the starting eleven for the first time since May.
Dortmund failed to break the deadlock through out the first half, in spite of the fact that the better chances fell to the German club. Ciro Immobile had a couple of his efforts saved, the first of which had come four minutes into the game. Anderlecht mostly played on the counter, but had a few shots of their own.
Anderlecht’s best chance came when a miscommunication at the heart of Dortmund defense put Aleksander Mitrovic through on goal and one-on-one against the reserve Dortmund keeper. Langerak pulled off a brilliant save, blocking the shot with his chest.
Immobile was undoubtedly Dortmund’s best player before the break, with his incisive movement creating problems for the Anderlecht backline. However, due to Proto’s solid performance below the bars, both teams headed into half-time with the scoreboard reading 0-0.
Dortmund started the second half with a spring in their steps, as the Belgian side tried hard to hold on. Kagawa’s shot went just wide of the goal while minutes later, Proto saved Mkhitaryan’s shot. A Ciro Immobile effort which reached the stands was sandwiched between both.
It was the young Italian who ultimately put Dortmund ahead at the 58′ mark. After Sahin latched on to a ball from Kagawa and released it for Immobile, the Dortmund centre forward evaded a defender and shot at the top right corner, outside Proto’s reach.
The goal allowed Dortmund to dominate the match further as Anderlecht totally retreated into a shell. With Dortmund looking to have all but wrapped up three points, Anderlecht came up with a late equalizer, against the run of play. Mitrovic, who had earlier failed to score off a one-on-one chance headed from the back post, following a superb cross from Vanden Borre.
Kagawa was hauled off immediately after the goal, with Blaszczykowski taking his place, making his first appearance of the season, but Dortmund failed to get the winner.
A draw was enough for the German side to secure the top spot, but Jurgen Klopp should be worried about the error prone finishing of his side in spite of their sheer dominance over RSC Anderlecht.