DORTMUND (dpa-AFX) – Goal scorer Serhou Guirassy also high-fived ex-BVB star Mats Hummels in a thick parka, and the professionals from Borussia Dortmund (BVB (Borussia Dortmund)) were very happy to celebrate from the south stand. Thanks largely to Guirassy, the Westphalians have opened the door to the round of 16 of the Champions League.
In the 2-0 (2-0) in the playoff first leg against Atalanta Bergamo, the striker took the lead in the 3rd minute and prepared the second goal by Maximilian Beier (42nd) in an exemplary manner. “That was a perfect start,” emphasized Guirassy, referring to his early goal.
With the well-deserved success in front of 76,900 spectators, the second-place team in the Bundesliga has secured a brilliant starting position for the second leg against the northern Italians on Wednesday next week. “I would have really liked the third (goal),” said BVB captain Julian Brandt on the streaming service Amazon Prime: “A 2-0 is still good, but still always dangerous when you still have an away game in front of you.”
If they advance, BVB will face England’s league leaders FC Arsenal or FC Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
Traffic chaos means a late start
The BVB professionals had to pass the toughest test of patience before kick-off. Because star singer Herbert Grönemeyer was performing in the neighboring Westfalenhalle almost at the same time, traffic chaos broke out around the arena. In the middle of it all was the Dortmund team bus, which therefore rolled into the stadium much later than planned. The result: the start of the game was pushed back by a quarter of an hour.
“It took the team 1:10 hours. Some people had anger in their stomachs. Maybe that will help us in the game,” said BVB boss Lars Ricken before kick-off on Amazon Prime and added: “We want to show that the Champions League is our competition. I hope for a win.”
Dortmund lightning start
When it finally started, BVB was immediately at operating temperature or as Brandt said: “We were relatively sharp”. After just 125 seconds, Guirassy scored with a header to take the early lead. The cross came from Julian Ryerson, who had already prepared all four goals in the 4-0 win against FSV Mainz 05 last Friday.
Guirassy, who has now scored six times in four consecutive competitive games after months of poor form, then delivered an emotional message. The Guinea international had written in French on a shirt under his jersey: “May he welcome you to his great paradise.” Guirassy explained after the game that his niece had died and that the news was meant for his brother: “We all stand by him.”
BVB strikes again shortly before the break
After that, Dortmund had everything under control. It was only after a good 20 minutes that the BVB defense, in which four central defenders were injured with national players Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Emre Can and Filippo Mane, came into danger for the first time. Nicola Zalewski passed across the goal, where Mario Pasalic narrowly missed the ball.
As a result, the guests intensified their offensive efforts, but were unable to create any chances. BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was not seriously tested once in the first half. However, Dortmund also had a hard time attacking, so most of the action took place between the penalty areas.
But then Guirassy suddenly started on the left wing shortly before half-time after a long ball from Felix Nmecha. A quick look, a precise cross – and Beier just had to keep his foot on it from three meters.
After the change, the home team controlled the game and could have extended their lead if they had been a little more consistent in front of the opponent’s goal. That didn’t work, but the victory was never in danger./edo/DP/zb
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