Dortmund happy to return home on level terms

DONETSK, Ukraine (AFP) –

Luiz Adriano (L) of Shakhtar Donetsk fights for the ball with Mats Hummels during the UEFA Champions League clash, on February 13, 2013. Hummels said Borussia Dortmund are relishing their last-16 second-leg clash at home to Shakhtar in a fortnight after the 2-2 draw in Ukraine.

Germany defender Mats Hummels said Borussia Dortmund are relishing their Champions League last-16 second-leg clash at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in a fortnight after the 2-2 draw in Ukraine.

Dortmund twice came from behind and were heading towards their first European defeat of the season before centre-back Hummels powered home from a corner, three minutes from time.

However, Dortmund’s impressive result will be overshadowed by the deaths of five fans and 12 injured when a plane from Odessa, south Ukraine, carrying 45 people crashed while landing at Donetsk airport, just hours before kick-off.

Douglas Costa celebrates scoring for Shakhtar Donetsk against Borussia Dortmund, on February 13, 2013. Dortmund twice came from behind to grab a 2-2 draw.

A minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect.

The draw means Dortmund are unbeaten in Europe and Hummels said Dortmund have all to play for in the second leg at Borussia’s Signal Iduna Park on March 5.

“It is important that we are going into the second leg level and a 0-0 would see us through,” said Hummels.

“Certainly there were a few dangerous moments in defence, but against such an attack-minded team you can never avoid this.

“We were twice behind, so that is a fantastic consolation result.”

Donetsk captain Darijo Srna’s free-kick was cancelled out by a first-half equaliser from Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski before Brazilian Douglas Costa restored Shakhtar’s advantage 22 minutes from time.

Hummels’ header puts Dortmund in pole position to reach the quarter-finals for the second-leg at Borussia’s Signal Iduna Park stadium in a fortnight.

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp urges on his men during the UEFA Champions League clash at Shakhtar Donetsk, on February 13, 2013. Having beaten Real Madrid, Manchester United and Ajax to win Group D, Dortmund came perilously close to joining current holders Chelsea in suffering defeat at Shakhtar’s notoriously tricky Donbass Arena.

Having beaten Real Madrid, Manchester United and Ajax to win Group D, Dortmund came perilously close to joining current holders Chelsea in suffering defeat at Shakhtar’s notoriously tricky Donbass Arena.

“We were punished for a couple of defensive mistakes, which was annoying,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.

“2-1 wouldn’t have been a bad result to take back to Dortmund, but the 2-2 was very important for the team’s mood before the second leg.”

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu meanwhile said he considered the draw a fair result.

“It’s a pity to lose the lead in the last minutes but the result seems to be fair,” Lucescu said.

“Borussia are a very strong and well-organised team, while we looked unimpressive in the beginning because of lack of match practice.

“But the finals stages showed we are capable of getting a positive result. In the next few weeks we will try to improve on our fitness.”

With reports in the German media Lewandowski is set to join rivals Bayern Munich, Hans-Joachim Watzke said they are confident of offering the Poland star a deal which will seal him extend his contract past June 2014.

“Nothing has been decided and we are still confident,” said Dortmund’s chief executive officer.