First goal for Guirassy
©IMAGO
Jamie Gittens saved Borussia Dortmund from a false start to the new Champions League season. Thanks mainly to the 20-year-old’s goals (76th and 86th minutes), BVB managed to win 3-0 (0-0) against Belgian champions Club Brugge. Substitute Serhou Guirassy scored the third goal from a penalty in stoppage time. It was his first goal for BVB.
Coach Nuri Sahin’s side on Wednesday lacked the brilliance that carried the Bundesliga club to the final against Real Madrid the previous season, but are initially in the upper bracket of the reformed premier class with a league for all clubs.
109 days after losing the final, Dortmund heard the Champions League anthem in the stadium again, Şahin for the first time as BVB head coach. The 36-year-old reported on the streaming service « DAZN » shortly before kick-off that he « slept well », but « the tingling sensation » started early in the Jan Breydel Stadium.
BVB, who qualified for the most successful league as fifth in the table thanks to UEFA’s special regulations, started rather well. Donyell Malen could have taken the lead from a promising position as early as the fourth minute, but the striker’s finish was a little too imprecise. Bruges goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had no trouble with Karim Adeyemi’s long-range shot (7′).
New fashion at CL & Co.: The reform of the European Cup explained
However, there was no question of great domination from the previous season’s finalist at the start. Bruges, currently second in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, resisted well and continued to look for the opportunity to counterattack. Dortmund were also very lucky when the hosts had several chances – and Gregor Kobel. The goalkeeper made a solid save against Raphael Onyedika after the Belgian shots had been blocked. Hugo Vetlesen only hit the crossbar when the ball was being defended (12th).
We have a very high quality team and the boys know how I feel.
Şahin decided to make three changes to the starting lineup from the 4-2 win over 1. FC Heidenheim, including Guirassy who initially sat on the bench after his BVB debut on Friday. « We have a very high-quality team and the boys also know how I feel, » Şahin explained. By halftime, the pattern of the first few minutes had solidified.
BVB played much more time, played many more passes, but did not stay behind the dense defense of the hosts too often. Bruges looked more dangerous on the rare counterattacks. Former Düsseldorf player Christos Tzolis wanted to win a penalty after a duel with Nico Schlotterbeck in the Dortmund penalty area, but he did not get one (33rd). Andreas Skov Olsen tested Kobel a little later (37th).
Şahin decided not to make any changes during the break, but the players on the pitch only partially rewarded his faith. After a free-kick from Marcel Sabitzer flew past the post, Hans Vanaken scored in the Dortmund penalty area in direct response, but shot too high (55th). Then Guirassy and Waldemar Anton replaced Malen and Ramy Bensebaini (59th).
Bruges had another good chance when Kobel had to intervene at the end of Vetlesen’s game (63rd). The hosts were much closer to the lead at this stage, which seemed to visibly annoy Şahin on the touchline. The coach kept shouting instructions on the pitch and brought Gittens on for Sabitzer (68th).
Eight minutes later, the 20-year-old did what a wild card should do: after a pass from Emre Can, Gittens beat goalkeeper Mignolet with a deflected shot and was celebrated for the first time by the BVB fans who accompanied him. The attacking player scored his second goal after a strong individual effort – the game was decided. Dortmund’s third goal from Guirassy helped the table statistics.
Inter Milan challenge Manchester City to a draw
Inter Milan have snatched a 0-0 draw (0-0) at Manchester City at the start of the new Champions League season. After four wins in the English league and the Super Cup title, the Skyblues have failed to win a competitive match for the first time this season.
In the duel between the Italian and English champions, Manchester City acted with more power after the break after a varied first half, but failed to convert this into a goal.
İlkay Gündoğan came on at half-time for the hosts. The former DFB captain, who ended his international career in the summer, got Man City moving again in attack but was denied by Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer with a header in the 89th minute.
PSG with a happy victory against Girona, newcomer in the Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain struggled against FC Girona and won 1-0 (0-0) at home. Nuno Mendes saved the French champions from a lucky goal in the 90th minute: his cross went through the legs of Girona’s very strong goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga. The Spanish first division team qualified for the European Cup for the first time this season.
Celtic Glasgow won 5-1 (1-0) against Slovan Bratislava. Former Augsburg player Arne Engels gave Borussia Dortmund’s next opponents the lead (17th minute) and then scored from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 (56th minute).
