Malen strike earns Dortmund a draw in Champions League first leg

PSV 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Malen 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 Schwarzgelben had 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 

Dortmund: Meyer - Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen - Sabitzer, Can (c) - Malen (Özcan 82'), Reus (Brandt 62'), Sancho (Wolf 68') - Füllkrug (Moukoko 82')
Unused subs: Lotka, Bensebaini, Duranville, Wätjen, Bynoe-Gittens, Bamba
Out: Adeyemi (muscular), Haller (ankle), Kobel (muscular), Nmecha (hip), Süle (illness)
Coach: Edin Terzić

As it happened!