Real Madrid Advances In Champions League Despite Defeat At Dortmund

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Apr 8, 2014

Gareth Bale, PepeDORTMUND, Germany — Real Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals Tuesday after losing 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund but finishing with a 3-2 victory on aggregate.

Playing without star striker Cristiano Ronaldo because of his left knee injury, Madrid could afford to miss an early penalty and still go through against last season’s runner-up, thanks to its 3-0 home victory in the first leg last week.

“We are pleased to have reached the semis, that was our goal,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “But we are not pleased with the way we did it.”

Marco Reus scored in the 24th and 37th minutes, and Dortmund wasted several excellent opportunities in the second half, including a shot against the post.

Nine-time champion Madrid reached the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. The Spanish side has lost in the semifinals for the past three years — being eliminated last season by Dortmund.

Robert Lewandowski, who scored four goals in a 4-1 home win for Dortmund last season, returned after suspension but failed to score.

Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said he was “proud of the image” his team projected — but lamented its failure to score in Madrid.

“That is where we lost this tie. We played badly there,” Klopp said.

In Tuesday’s other match, 2012 champion Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in west London to reach the last four on the away goals rule after a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

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