The BVB captain admitted that while the result in Ukraine may not have been ideal, his team is in the driver's seat ahead of the second leg.
Sebastian Kehl believes that Borussia Dortmund has every opportunity of reaching the Champions League quarterfinal following a first-leg draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The midfielder, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on the day of the game, revealed he was content with the 2-2 draw and stated it was an improvement on the heavy defeat to Hamburg at the weekend.
"We can live with the 2-2, even though there was more in this match for us. But the 2-2 leaves us with all chances open for the second leg," Kehl told Sky after the game.
"We had a grip on the match in the first half. The goal was unlucky and Donetsk is a strong team. But we were way more compact than in the last matches.
"We analyzed the match (4-1 defeat to Hamburg on Saturday). We made many mistakes back then and today we were able to defend better."
Mats Hummels echoed the sentiments of his captain, and declared his relief at heading in a late equalizer after being culpable for Douglas Costa's goal which put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
"I think Schmelle (Marcel Schmelzer) and me were guilty for that goal [at 2-1]. So it was very important we got the draw at the end," he said.
"It was a good match from both teams, tactically, too. But that is no surprise with all these quality players on the field.
"Maybe we would have been a little more deservedly the winners."
However, Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp refused to blame the center back for the hosts' second goal, instead opting to praise the scorer.
"We usually do not get these kind of goals. [Douglas] Costa was very good in that situation: Mats was not uninvolved, let's just call it that," Klopp said.
"Yet we got that late goal in the 87th minute. That is just wonderful and the team can get back to the hotel in a very good mood."
Dortmund will welcome Shakhtar to the Signal Iduna Park for the second leg on March 5.
