Dortmund ease into last 16 after scoreless draw with Sporting

Borussia Dortmund sailed into the round of 16 of the Champions League after a comfortable 0-0 draw with Sporting in the second leg of their knockout phase playoff on Wednesday, giving last year's runners-up a 3-0 aggregate win. The result was never in doubt, as Dortmund’s disciplined performance ensured their progression without unnecessary drama. Sporting, needing a miraculous turnaround, failed to mount any significant threat, allowing Dortmund to dictate the tempo of the game. The German side, well aware of their comfortable lead, played with composure, limiting Sporting’s attacking opportunities and ensuring they saw out the match with minimal risk.

Dortmund will face Aston Villa or Lille in the last 16, with their opponents to be decided in Friday's draw. The German outfit will fancy their chances against either team, given their dominant performance in the group stages and their ability to manage high-stakes European encounters with maturity and tactical discipline. Their defensive solidity, combined with a potent attack, makes them one of the more formidable sides remaining in the competition.

Despite being 3-0 down from the first leg, Sporting showed little urgency early on, looking happy to sit back and wait for an opportunity to counter. Their lack of aggression puzzled many, as they seemed reluctant to take risks, despite having nothing to lose. Without their usual attacking flair, they struggled to trouble the Dortmund backline, which remained largely untested throughout the evening.

Sporting left their top scorer Viktor Gyökeres at home as a precaution. The striker, who has netted 34 goals in 36 games this season, has struggled with a thigh injury recently but played at the weekend, and his absence was a sign of their resignation. Without their talismanic forward, Sporting lacked a focal point in attack, further limiting their ability to overturn the deficit. The decision to leave Gyökeres out suggested that Sporting had perhaps already accepted their fate, prioritizing their domestic campaign over an unlikely European comeback.

The first chance fell to the hosts when Marcel Sabitzer tried his luck from distance and the shot curled wide of the far post. It was a warning sign of Dortmund’s intent, as they looked to test Sporting’s defensive resolve early on. Sabitzer, eager to make an impact, continued to probe Sporting’s defense, sensing that a breakthrough could further demoralize their already struggling opponents.

Sabitzer, seeking his first goal of the season, had another strike from outside the area, this time calling Sporting keeper Rui Silva into action, who parried the ball away for a corner. The Austrian midfielder’s persistence reflected Dortmund’s strategy of taking speculative shots from distance, recognizing that Sporting’s defensive shape was difficult to break down with intricate passing alone. Silva’s save was one of the few moments where Sporting showed some defensive resilience, as they largely struggled to cope with Dortmund’s attacking pressure.

Dortmund were awarded a penalty 13 minutes after the interval when Silva took down Karim Adeyemi, but the Sporting keeper made amends by saving Serhou Guirassy's spot-kick to deny the Champions League's top scorer this season his 11th goal of the competition. It was a rare moment of drama in an otherwise controlled match, as Guirassy, usually clinical from the spot, was unable to convert. Silva’s save momentarily lifted Sporting’s spirits, but they failed to capitalize on the momentum shift, as Dortmund quickly regained control of proceedings.

Substitute Giovanni Reyna had an excellent chance to break the deadlock for the hosts when sent through with just the keeper to beat, but he hit the upright and was unable to convert the rebound. The American midfielder, known for his technical ability, was left frustrated as his effort came agonizingly close to sealing the win. Despite the miss, Dortmund remained untroubled, knowing their aggregate lead was more than enough to see them through.

Emre Can did have the ball in the net with a header, but his effort was chalked off for offside, and Dortmund, who have lost their last two league games, the first two under new manager Niko Kovac, march on in Europe. The offside call was a minor setback in an otherwise dominant display, with Can’s goal being one of the few moments where Dortmund breached Sporting’s defensive line. The result provided a much-needed confidence boost for Kovac, whose tenure had begun with domestic struggles. Advancing to the last 16 of the Champions League reinforced the belief that Dortmund could still achieve success under his leadership.

"I think it was not a great game by both teams. We dominated the game for over 90 minutes," Kovac told reporters. "We didn't concede anything, even in the first half we only had a few shots. In the second half we were much more dangerous. We should have won the game." His assessment reflected the reality of the match—while Dortmund controlled possession and created the better chances, their inability to convert those opportunities into goals left room for improvement.

Sporting, meanwhile, continued their dramatic drop-off in form since Ruben Amorim left to take charge of Manchester United in November. The departure of their influential coach had left a void that they had struggled to fill, with their performances lacking the tactical cohesion that defined Amorim’s tenure. The shift in management disrupted their momentum, as they struggled to adapt to a new system and approach.

Under Amorim, Sporting won three of their four games in the league phase and were second in the standings. Their European campaign had begun with promise, but his departure changed everything. The loss of their strategic mastermind saw them lose direction, and their struggles in the knockout phase were a testament to their inability to recover from his exit.

Since his departure, they have failed to win a European match, losing five of six games, and their European adventure ended in an anti-climactic fashion. The collapse in form underscored the impact of managerial stability in football. Sporting, once a formidable force in the competition, bowed out with little fight, a shadow of the team that had initially looked like a dark horse in the tournament.

As Dortmund prepare for the last 16, they will be confident in their ability to navigate the challenges ahead. Their defensive organization, midfield control, and attacking depth make them a formidable opponent for any team they may face. The likes of Sabitzer, Adeyemi, and Guirassy provide attacking firepower, while their solid backline ensures they remain difficult to break down. If they can sharpen their finishing, they could go deep into the competition once again, determined to avenge last season’s heartbreak.

For Sporting, the focus now shifts back to their domestic campaign, where they must regroup and rediscover their form. Their European exit, while disappointing, serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with managerial transitions. As they rebuild under new leadership, they will hope to regain their competitive edge and return stronger in future European campaigns.