2-1 - Late Joo-Ho Park winner makes for frantic finish against Krasnodar

Mamaev shocked the 55,200 fans in attendance at Signal Iduna Park on the 12-minute mark when the Russian striker fired the visitors into a surprise early lead. The Black and Yellows attempted to get back into the game but couldn't take their chances on goal. However, they still managed to equalise through a Ginter header in the first half (45 + 1). In the second period BVB dictated the play, but again suffered from an inability to convert the chances they created. The late winner came from Joo-Ho Park (90 + 3) following an assist from Ginter.

Felix Ulrich reports

The scenario:
BVB's second appearance in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League began with a home match against Russian side FC Krasnodar. Prior to this one, Borussia boasted a fairly positive track record against Russian opposition having claimed four victories, secured one draw and suffered one loss (at the hands of Zenit St. Petersburg). And Thomas Tuchel's charges were undoubtedly favourites following a sensational start to the season which has seen the Black and Yellows win all nine of their competitive games. Nevertheless, Krasnodar had remained unbeaten in their three previous European away games (one victory, two draws).

Personnel matters:
BVB made four changes to the team that recorded a 4-2 Bundesliga victory over Hannover for the Krasnodar clash, with Bürki, Weigl, Kagawa and Hofmann all making way for Weidenfeller and new signings Castro, Januzaj and Park. Thomas Tuchel might have rotated even more players if Sven Bender (infection) and Neven Subotic (back pain) had not been ruled out of the match through injury at short notice. Marco Reus, Nuri Sahin and Erik Durm were also missing for the hosts.

Tactics:
Borussia Dortmund (once again) transitioned smoothly between 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3 formations. Attacking wingers Januzaj and Mkhitaryan frequently switched flanks and regularly enjoyed support from forward-thinking full-backs Ginter and Schmelzer, though the Black and Yellows rarely failed to achieve numerical superiority out wide. Gündogan played in front of the back four in a central defensive midfield position, flanked by Castro and Park on either side. Krasnodar, who reverted to a 4-4-1-1 when not in possession, might have closed gaps well at the back but demonstrated no intention of just sitting back in their own half. Instead, they often switched the play at speed, changing into a 4-3-3 formation and launching attacks involving up to eight or nine outfield players in the Dortmund half.

The match & analysis:
Despite scoring 22 goals in their four UEFA Europa League qualifying matches, the Black and Yellows had a tough time against Krasnodar for most of the match. The Russians put in a solid defensive performance and played simple but effective football. BVB seemed to be lacking sharpness at the unusual kick-off time of 19:00 CET, lacking ideas going forward, fluency in their play and effectiveness in front of goal. In truth, Tuchel's team never really took complete control.

As has almost become the custom in this season's Europa League qualifiers, Borussia conceded the first goal through the visitors' first real chance of the match. This time it was Smolov who skipped past Ginter down the left flank in the 12th minute and sent a low cross into the centre with the outside of his boot to Mamaev, who stole away from Gündogan and Hummels to slot home. It was the Russian's fifth goal in four European games this season.

Borussia seemed to need at least half an hour to recover, their first real chance on goal falling to Mkhitaryan in the 34th minute. However, the Armenian's heavy touch in the penalty area allowed Krasnodar keeper Dykan to thwart the attempt. Four minutes later, Aubameyang tried a first-time shot at the far post following a corner, only for Dykan to clear. However, the third opportunity did cross the line: Park put in a wonderful cross from the left wing and Ginter outjumped Petrov in the middle to head home (45 + 1). It was a deserved equaliser given BVB's dominance and the number of chances created.

After the break Thomas Tuchel brought on Kagawa in place of Schmelzer and tinkered with the Black and Yellows' tactics, moving Aubameyang across to the right and Januzaj into the centre of attack. Mkhitaryan could have put the hosts 2-1 up in the 47th and 56th minutes, but missed with a header and a curling effort respectively.

Ramos's effort cleared off the line

BVB were now more in the game and on the verge of scoring a second, but Krasnodar dug in and blocked a number of attempts with some last-ditch defending (e.g. from Aubameyang in the 65th minute). The Russians remained dangerous going forward too, with Smolov hitting the side netting in the 61st minute. After Weigl came on for Castro (61) and Ramos replaced Aubameyang (72), the Colombian substitute was presented with a golden chance to take the lead but his effort from a narrow angle was cleared off the line by Petrov.

Dortmund continued to press, Dykan clearing a Ginter cross (86) and left-footed shot (88). Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Park fired Dortmund into a 2-1 lead thanks to a wonderful diving header and extended Borussia's winning run in competitive fixtures to ten matches.

Prospects:
BVB now face four matches in eleven days. Having kicked off the UEFA Europa League group stages, Borussia will welcome Bayer Leverkusen to Signal Iduna Park on Sunday. The kick-off for the Bundesliga match is 17:30 CET. Next up after that is an away trip to TSG Hoffenheim on Wednesday (23/9), followed by a home game against Darmstadt (Sunday 27/9). The European campaign continues on 1 October when BVB travel to Greek side PAOK Saloniki.

Teams & goals