On October 24, 2012, Borussia Dortmund faced Real Madrid in a crucial UEFA Champions League Group D match at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany. In an intense and competitive encounter, Borussia Dortmund emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, putting themselves in a strong position in the “Group of Death.”
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Borussia Dortmund: 2 (Robert Lewandowski 36′, Marcel Schmelzer 64′)
- Real Madrid: 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 38′)
- Possession:
- Real Madrid had 56% possession, while Borussia Dortmund had 44%. Despite Real Madrid’s control of the ball, Dortmund’s pressing and efficient counter-attacks proved decisive in securing the victory.
- Shots:
- Borussia Dortmund registered 12 shots, with 5 on target, showcasing their ability to convert chances effectively. Real Madrid managed 10 shots, with 3 on target, reflecting their attempts to break down Dortmund’s defense, but they were less clinical in front of goal.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Real Madrid had a passing accuracy of 84%, completing 507 passes out of 603 attempts. Borussia Dortmund had a passing accuracy of 79%, completing 329 passes out of 418 attempts. Madrid’s passing was sharp, but Dortmund’s ability to capitalize on key moments made the difference.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Borussia Dortmund made 20 tackles compared to Real Madrid’s 15, demonstrating their commitment to regaining possession and disrupting Madrid’s rhythm. Dortmund’s defense, led by Mats Hummels and Neven Subotić, was crucial in containing Madrid’s potent attack, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
- Set Pieces:
- Borussia Dortmund’s goals came from open play. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a well-placed shot after a defensive mistake by Pepe, giving Dortmund the lead. Real Madrid quickly responded with an equalizer just two minutes later when Cristiano Ronaldo lobbed Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller after being set up by Mesut Özil. The winning goal came in the 64th minute when Marcel Schmelzer struck a powerful half-volley from the edge of the box, following a clearance from a cross, beating Iker Casillas to give Dortmund the lead.
- Individual Performances:
- Robert Lewandowski was a standout performer for Borussia Dortmund, scoring the opening goal and constantly pressing Madrid’s defense. Marcel Schmelzer’s goal proved to be the winner, and his defensive contributions were equally important. For Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo was their most dangerous player, scoring the equalizer and consistently threatening Dortmund’s defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Borussia Dortmund, under Jürgen Klopp, employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on high pressing, quick transitions, and exploiting the spaces left by Madrid’s attacking full-backs. Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, also used a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing ball control and attacking through the flanks with Ronaldo and Ángel Di María. Dortmund’s tactical discipline and ability to strike on the counter-attack were crucial in securing the victory.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw five yellow cards, three for Real Madrid (Xabi Alonso 45′, Sami Khedira 60′, Michael Essien 85′) and two for Borussia Dortmund (Neven Subotić 23′, Marcel Schmelzer 76′). The fouls were mostly tactical, aimed at breaking up play and preventing dangerous counter-attacks.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Real Madrid won 5 corners compared to Borussia Dortmund’s 4, reflecting their attempts to apply pressure in the attacking third. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their efforts to exploit high defensive lines.
Summary
Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid was a significant result that demonstrated the German side’s ability to compete with Europe’s elite. The win put Dortmund at the top of Group D, widely regarded as the “Group of Death,” and provided them with a crucial advantage in the race to advance to the knockout stages.
Robert Lewandowski’s opener and Marcel Schmelzer’s decisive strike were the highlights for Dortmund, who displayed tactical discipline, effective pressing, and clinical finishing. Despite having less possession, Dortmund’s efficiency in front of goal and their ability to disrupt Madrid’s play were key factors in their victory.
For Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo’s equalizer showed their resilience, but they were ultimately undone by Dortmund’s energetic and organized performance. Madrid struggled to break down Dortmund’s defense, and their inability to convert their possession into goals proved costly.
The match is remembered for Dortmund’s tactical masterclass under Jürgen Klopp, as they outmaneuvered a star-studded Real Madrid side led by José Mourinho. The victory was a statement of intent from Dortmund, who went on to have a successful Champions League campaign, eventually reaching the final that season.
