Anshuman Joshi
Ian Maatsen and Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho shine as Dortmund knock out Atlético Madrid to reach UCL semi-finals
Ian Maatsen was in top form on Tuesday night as he helped Dortmund complete the comeback against Atlético Madrid to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
The 22-year-old is on loan from Chelsea since January and has quickly established himself in the starting XI at Signal Iduna Park. He was at fault for one of the Atleti goals in the first leg, making his performance in the second one even sweeter.
Other Dortmund goals on the night came from Julian Brandt (34′), Niclas Füllkrug (71′), and Marcel Sabitzer (74′).
Maatsen enjoyed the post-match celebrations with another Premier League loanee in Jadon Sancho. The Man United player posted a picture with the Netherlands U21 international after the game.
The England international was sent back to Dortmund in January after falling out with Erik ten Hag earlier in the season.
Up next for Dortmund is a Bundesliga affair against league champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen in a bid to secure a top-four finish for next season’s Champions League.
In this year’s Champions League semi-finals, they are set to face Paris Saint-Germain, who overcame Barcelona in their own quarter-final tie on Tuesday.
Two players thriving away from disastrous homes
In Ian Maatsen and Jadon Sancho we have two players who are on the books of big-name Premier League clubs who are currently deep in the mud of mediocrity owing to some spectacularly bad decisions.
At Dortmund, the two have at least found a place and a manager in Edin Terzić who makes them feel comfortable in their skin and allows them to breathe more, and a healthy environment is conducive to healthy player development, as Dortmund have demonstrated over the years.
It is perhaps ironic that Erik ten Hag got rid of Sancho only for him to go impress at his former club. Surely questions must now be asked of the Dutrchman’s man management.
More Manchester United News-
- Gary Neville recalls why it was ‘frustrating’ to play with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United initially: “He was all over the place”
- Man United star avoids Jadon Sancho repeat with Erik ten Hag as club deal with matter ‘internally’
- Pundit urges Premier League club to give struggling Raphael Varane an escape route from Manchester United
It is likely both Sancho and Maatsen will return to their respective Premier League clubs in the summer. While a return to Dortmund cannot be ruled out for either of them, it is good to see the two youngsters enjoying themselves out in Germany for the time being.
