Football exhibition in Dortmund
After the horrific attack on Dortmund's team bus, both teams put on a show for the fans' enjoyment. The clash is completely open going into the second leg.
We came into this game with much anticipation as two attack-minded sides came together for the postponed quarter-final fixture. It was, however, a sluggish start to the game with both teams aware of the opposition's attacking potential.
Dortmund claimed more of the ball, but struggled to get close to Subasic, while Monaco sat back and tried to win the ball back early. Out of nowhere, a long ball saw Mbappe behind the defence and the striker was pulled down for a Monaco penalty.
Fabinho wasted the chance after firing wide, but the match seemed to open up after that. The hosts pushed for a goal, realising they could have gone behind, but it was the French side who countered well and Mbappe was on the end of Lemar's cross to score the first. Despite being in an offside position the visitors went a goal up.
Just as the Germans seemed to recompose, Monaco broke again down the left and Bender headed Raggi's cross into his own net. Jardim's side were happy off the ball and outsmarted Dortmund in every way before the break.
The second half began with a completely different twist, the home side overwhelming the visitors with heavy involvement from substitute Pulisic. Such a super response was awarded promptly with a goal from Dembele after Kagawa rounded goalkeeper Subasic.
The unyielding surge from the home side continued, as a perplexed Monaco could not help but see them get closer to their goal, unable to get on the ball, but chances came without a goal for Tuchel's side.
Finally it was Mbappe who, in the 79th minute, after a terrible defensive mistake from Piszczek, went through on goal to brilliantly find the top corner, and practically end Dortmund's hopes of a comeback.
With two of the highest goalscoring teams on the pitch, many goals were to be expected. Next it was the hosts' turn to score, through Kagawa, to close the gap with the French side once again. This gave the home team another chance to push forward with their crowd cheering them on.
In the end, a true exhibition of attacking football. Monaco have a slight lead for the second leg, but it is all open if the teams play this kind of entertaining football.