Borussia Dortmund vs. Malaga: 6 Things We Learned

Dortmund pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks witnessed in recent history to stun Malaga 3-2 and move through to the Champions League semifinals.

Two goals in the final two minutes of play saw the German champions fight their way back from a 2-1 deficit that had Malaga on the brink of a stunning Champions League upset and Dortmund eliminated from the tournament in spectacular fashion.

The Spanish powerhouse will no doubt be devastated with the loss—having felt the result was secure when they gained a 2-1 lead late in the second half—and will likely still be stunned by what just unfolded. Which, for those that watched the game, we completely understand.

What were the biggest lessons learned from this epic Champions League match?

Read on and find out.

1. Malaga Owned Dortmund in the Air

After watching Dortmund dominate on the ground for the opening 20 minutes of this game, it was clear that Malaga were going to have to try the aerial route to beat the German champions.

Immediately, they found success and continued to find such success throughout the rest of the game.

From the long ball that found success and a goal through Joaquin to the numerous chances they had on free-kicks throughout the night, Malaga's use of the aerial ball was a huge reason behind their success here and showed the German giants to be very vulnerable against it.

In both attack and defense, Dortmund could not match Malaga in the air despite averaging more aerials duels won per game (according to WhoScored), and it will be fascinating to see how that plays itself out in the Champions League semifinals.

2. Martin Demichelis Immense in Defense

Demichelis isn't the top-rated defender that he was once considered in world football, but he showed tonight just how invaluable he can be for the Spanish powerhouse this season.

Playing against a German team—something he had a huge advantage in given his past—Demichelis was physical and strong in the air whilst maintaining his composure and strength at the back.

The 32-year-old was beaten just once on the night (by a fantastic goal too), but for the most part, handled the various threats that Dortmund's attack posed—shutting down Lewandowski at the top of the attack and ensuring that the likes of Gotze could not chime in from behind.

Demichelis also nearly set up a stunning goal from a free-kick in the second half, which would have no doubt put this game beyond all doubt. 

Not bad from the Argentinian at all.

3. Stunning Goals Throughout

One thing that was definitely missing from the first leg that we saw in this one was goals, and the goals scored were all simply stunning in their own rights.

The greatest goal of the night has to go to Robert Lewandowski, however, whose finish off a magical breakaway was just a sign of how talented the Polish international really is.

After a quick break down the right flank, Marco Reus released the star striker beautifully with a flick-on, that is no doubt attracting all the attention and praise. But the reality was that the striker still had plenty of work to do, with a wonderful chip over the goalkeeper and then pace to beat the defender to the ball giving Dortmund a crucial goal that would eventually win them the game.

Just brilliant from the striker, who deserved his goal on the night.

4. Willy Incredible Across Both Legs

The amount of times we saw Dortmund go through on Malaga's goal and appear destined to score—and yet somehow end up with nothing—was simply ridiculous.

And whilst Dortmund missed a number of chances, the reality was that without their goalkeeper, Willy, Malaga would not have been able to progress through to the semifinals.

His saves in the first leg were superb; his saves in this second leg were simply breathtaking.

Two key saves with the game tied at 1-1 in the space of five minutes were absolutely incredible, as Dortmund could do nothing but throw their hands in the air in frustration.

Either one of those saves would have given Dortmund the lead, but instead, they would remain tied at 1-1 and then eventually see the lead slip away on the counterattack.

Granted, Dortmund would somehow come back to win, but those two saves late in the game were very nearly the difference here for Malaga.

5. Dortmund Will Rue Misses Chances

Regardless of the final score, Borussia Dortmund will no doubt look back on this Champions League quarterfinal and know that they squandered some big chances throughout.

Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski will know that they should have scored in Spain—especially given their numerous one-on-one chances with the goalkeeper—and they know that those misses played a profound difference on how the second leg unfolded.

The second leg didn't have the same clear-cut opportunities that the first did, but there were still a number of good chances that Dortmund did not capitalize on.

And in the end, that turned out to be the biggest talking point of them all.

6. Just Wow.

The biggest thing we learned on the night was one that we already knew to be true—for the drama, the glory and the spectacular, football is the greatest game on earth.

There are no other words to describe Dortmund's incredible comeback in the final minutes here to snare victory—scoring two goals in two minutes to book their spot in the semifinals, which was no doubt ecstasy from them, and heartbreak for Malaga.

Nothing else does it justice other than "wow," for we witnessed the greatest Champions League comeback since Manchester United in that memorable final of 1999.

Just wow.

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