Ian Maatsen sent a not-so-subtle message to Chelsea after scoring his first Champions League goal to help Borussia Dortmund reach the semi-finals for the first time in more than a decade.
Maatsen was playing in the Championship with Burnley a year ago and headed to Chelsea convinced he would have the chance to prove his quality with the Blues this season.
Maatsen, ignored by Mauricio Pochettino and loaned to Dortmund, has been a revelation in Germany and culminated his “incredible” night by reaching the semifinals of the Champions League.
“It’s an amazing feeling, you know?” Maatsen told CBS.
‘I’ve dreamed of this since I was a kid, especially scoring my first goal in the Champions League. I’m so happy I can’t even describe it.’
Ian Maatsen scored his first Champions League goal in Borussia Dortmund’s victory over Atlético Madrid on Tuesday night.
Dortmund advanced to the semi-finals to the delight of Chelsea loanee Maatsen.
Maatsen sent a message to his parent club after the match following a lack of opportunities under Mauricio Pochettino earlier this season.
When asked if he ever saw himself producing big moments on the biggest stage after being rejected at Chelsea, Maatsen told Thierry Henry that he never lost faith in himself.
‘I always believed [I could] to play for Chelsea, but unfortunately it didn’t work out,” he explained.
‘Now that I am here I am very grateful for the opportunity. I’m very proud of myself. I continued to believe in myself and came here to play my game at the highest level. “Today I think I did a very good performance.”
Maatsen scored the second of Dortmund’s four goals that night, as they overwhelmed an experienced Atlético Madrid side to reach the final four for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
The left-back’s shot was a rocket, low towards the far corner after a clever set-up, and although it took Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak by surprise, it was no coincidence.
“These opportunities don’t come around often for full-backs and I’ve been practicing in training,” he said.
“I had a good touch in the box, I saw the goal and I put it in the net as hard as I could. Today it was worth it.”
In front of a crowd of 81,000, Dortmund looked as energetic at the final whistle as they did at the first and that’s down to their famous Yellow Wall, Maatsen said.
‘This Yellow Wall is crazy. You felt the energy of the fans and you feel great enthusiasm. You feel it very much in your heart. It runs through your entire body. Big fans. I can’t describe it.’