Man United, Borussia Dortmund earn away draws in Champions League

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Published time: February 14, 2013 00:15
Edited time: February 14, 2013 04:22

It has been an even evening in the Champions League on Wednesday as Borussia Dortmund salvaged a 2-2 draw against Shakhtar in Donetsk, while Man United managed to slow down Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, 1-1.

Quite predictably, Cristiano Ronaldo scored against his old club, but the Portuguese and his teammates missed several other chances meaning Danny Welbeck's away goal proved more important ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford in three weeks' time.

Commenting on the game for Sky Sports 2, Mourinho said he was not surprised by the result. "I think basically (it was) what I was waiting for, which is everything very open for the second leg. As I was thinking, I think this will go to the last minute," he noted.

“They changed their way of play. They had the block very, very low in the second half. I think Rio (Ferdinand) and (Jonny) Evans – they didn't put one foot in our own half. They were waiting for a set-piece or a counter-attack. They defended well and the result is open,” Mourinho said, before adding: “If you ask me percentages, I don't change one single number – 50/50."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson echoed his colleague, saying the tie is very open, but added that now it’s his team that has a slight advantage.

"I think we'll score at Old Trafford. We know they are going to be a tremendous counterattacking team, we know that. I've seen that when they played Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, in the first half, they dominated the game. We have got a big task on our hands, but it is definitely within our grasp," Sir Alex told Sky Sports after the game.

Manchester United's Robin van Persie (R) challenges Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during their Champions League soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid February 13, 2013.(Reuters / Juan Medina)

­Meanwhile, the German Champions Borussia Dortmund salvaged a draw with two away goals in the first against Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Ukrainians led twice, first through Darijo Srna's fierce free-kick and then Douglas Costa's neat control and finish, but couldn’t protect their advantage.

Striker Robert Lewandowski scored from Mario Goetze's cross to peg Shakhtar back just before the break, and defender Mats Hummels’ header leveled things of the pitch just a few minutes from time putting the German champions in a more advantageous position heading into the return leg.

Shakhtar's captain Dario Srna during his team's Champions League match agaist Borussia Dortmund (RIA Novosti /Stepan Kachur)