The 14-point gap separating rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga was never going to be a factor here. Even the home advantage Bayern enjoyed at the Allianz Arena in this DFB-Pokal semifinal was no reason to believe that this latest version of Der Klassiker had a clear favorite.
Just as Borussia Dortmund was picking up steam, Monaco capped it immediately. Quick on the counterattack, Monaco threaded together a string of passes once again opening up Dortmund's defense. With fresh legs, right as Valère Germain stepped onto the pitch, he made an impact.
(Goal at 1:17)
Monaco makes history as the first team to score three goals in four consecutive matches in the Champions League.
Leave it to the young stars to light up the match. Ousmane Dembele worked some magic one-on-one in the penalty box and picked out his teammate Reus with ease.
Reus gets one back for Dortmund as Dembele picks up his 17th(!) assist in all comps this season. #ASMBVB https://t.co/UIwMq4XqzR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 19, 2017
Leaving gaps within your defense will never be taken kindly in the Champions League. Radamel Falcao is no stranger to picking out these weaknesses.
Falcao gets in on the scoring with his 5th #UCL goal this season! #ASMBVB https://t.co/LpOEbL8ljN
Kylian Mbappé has just made Champions League History. The AS Monaco forward has scored a goal in each of his first four games in the knockout round.
Kylian Mbappe is the 1st player to score in his first four #UCL knockout stage games. He is 18 years old. #ASMBVB https://t.co/ytqY3O2Jt6
According to various media reports, police in Germany have determined that the attack on Borussia Dortmund's bus ast week, which injured defender Marc Bartra, was likely carried out by far-right extremists. At first, it was believed the attack was the work of Islamic terrorists, but several inconsistencies have indicated the attack was meant to sway public opinion against Muslims.
From The Times:
Less than 24 hours after three explosions severely damaged the Borussia Dortmund team bus and hospitalized defender Marc Bartra, Dortmund hosted AS Monaco in the Champions League at the behest of UEFA.
There are moments when it is natural to question the current state of humanity. Terrorist attacks, chemical weapons, shootings, missiles, hate speech, racism, discrimination. You are left to wonder: How could this be? Who would do something like that?
Another one of these moments presented itself Tuesday when the Borussia Dortmund team bus was attacked before its Champions League quarterfinal match with AS Monaco in Germany.
AS Monaco scored three vital away goals against Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion, but you get the feeling that this tie favors whichever team is forced into having the attacking onus. The second leg in Monaco promises more of the same, and this time it’ll be Dortmund needing to force the issue.
Thomas Tuchel opted for a more conservative approach to start the match, playing Sven Bender, Sokratis and Lukasz Piszcezek in the back and opting for Marcel Schmelzer and Matthias Ginter as wing backs.
Cue the music. Kylian Mbappé is on fire. The 18-year-old has scored 13 goals in his last 9 starts for Monaco. Up 2-1 a lazy pass from Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek was picked off by a surging Mbappé and the youngster was off to the races: