DFB Cup
Late redemption: Guirassy shoots the BVB one round further
Updated on August 18, 2025 – 10:45 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
BVB was the clear favorite against Rot-Weiss Essen, but it was difficult for a long time. In the end it was her top striker again who redeemed her.
Borussia Dortmund moved into the second round of the DFB Cup after a hard piece of work. In the round league team Rot-Weiss Essen, BVB celebrated a narrow 1-0 success in the end.
The Esseners lasted very well for a long time, and even some top chances worked out, but they always failed due to the strong Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. When the extension for the hosts already seemed within reach, it was top striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored the winning goal in the 79th minute with a strong individual campaign.
“The hut will burn on Hafenstrasse,” BVB coach Niko Kovač had predicted. But at first it was quiet: the fans of both clubs mourned Frank Mill, who died on August 5 from the consequences of a heart attack at the age of only 67. The 1990 world champion had played nine for RWE for eight years for BVB.
After that, in the first derby of the neighbors since the 2008 cup duel, when Jürgen Klopp had given his coaching debut at BVB, it was loud and atmospheric. After 34 seconds, Marcel Sabitzer handed in the first shot.
Kovač had to improvise in defense. Because three central defenders were injured in Nico Schlotterbeck, Emre Can and Niklas Süle, 20-year-old Filippo Mane came to his first competitive game for BVB. New signing Jobe Bellingham, as well as the international Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi, were initially on the bench. Dortmund struggled, the outsider became braver, even had the first chance when Ramien Safi’s cross from Rami Bensebaini had almost been deflected to the BVB goal (23rd).
Then Kobel had to save in a shot from Kaito Müzua (32nd). Only then did Serhou Guirassy seriously in danger (36th). On the other hand, Safi failed in front of the shiny reacting goblin (41.). Kovač was increasingly angry on the sidelines.
After the break, BVB remained imprecise and without ideas, and food defended. After an hour, Kovač brought Bellingham and Brandt, the Dortmund game became more determined. Guirassy redeemed the favorite and scored worth seeing from the turn.