Dortmund required 22 minutes to break the deadlock in their first competitive meeting with Lille in 23 years, as Karim Adeyemi produced a strike worthy of the European stage. The 23-year-old patiently waited on the edge of the box for the ball to break to him from a corner, timing his strike to perfection to drill it past the static Lucas Chevalier.
The hosts continued to dominate proceedings as Lille struggled to land a glove on their opponents in a one-sided first half. In fact, the visitors would have been relieved to go into the break with a one-goal deficit after Pascal Groß saw his close-range effort ruled out on the stroke of half time for offside.
The Ligue 1 outfit certainly showed greater intent following Bruno Génésio’s wise words at the break, although their attacking talent were met with stern resistance from a defence that had kept four clean sheets in their previous five outings.
Lille’s patience eventually paid dividends in the 68th minute when Hákon Arnar Haraldsson poked the ball past Gregor Kobel after being sent through on goal by Jonathan David.
Niko Kovač’s charges were unable to produce a meaningful response to Lille’s deserved equaliser, finding it difficult to rediscover the control and dominance they displayed in the first period.
In truth, the visitors saw out the remainder of the contest with minimum fuss, ensuring they will return to France with a hard-fought draw.
Les Dogues will feel they have laid solid foundations to reach their first-ever Champions League quarter-final, while Dortmund will have to produce a strong performance in France if they are to have any hope of replicating last season’s run to the final.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Hákon Arnar Haraldsson (Lille)