Coach Peter Stöger said it was “only to be expected that it would be difficult” against Atalanta, but Borussia Dortmund were ultimately lucky.
The Italians had been 2-1 up in Dortmund before capitulating 3-2 to two late goals, and were 1-0 up for most of this evening until a Marcel Schmelzer equaliser seven minutes from time sent them through 4-3 on aggregate.
Coach Peter Stöger said it was “only to be expected that it would be difficult” against Atalanta, but Borussia Dortmund were ultimately lucky.
The Italians had been 2-1 up in Dortmund before capitulating 3-2 to two late goals, and were 1-0 up for most of this evening until a Marcel Schmelzer equaliser seven minutes from time sent them through 4-3 on aggregate.
“Well, effectively, we were a bit lucky. It was only to be expected that it would be difficult, but we certainly made it easier for them in the first half,” said Stöger in his Press conference.
“We were not aggressive or physical enough, and we did not apply what we had spoken about doing beforehand. That was not the kind of professional game that you have to play on such occasions.
“We were better in the second half, and the substitutions worked well above anything else. I am really pleased for Schmelzer that he got the goal at the end, as he is our captain and had been out injured.
“Marco Reus showed what good he does for our game when coming off the bench. We had talked to him in recent weeks and wanted to be careful to avoid a relapse.
“We have the right attitude, and the boys have demonstrated that a number of times. Of course, I'm pleased that we are through to the next round, but we have also got a lot to talk about after this match."