Match Report
Gittens and Guirassy fire BVB to 3-0 opening win in Bruges
Boris Rupert reporting from Bruges
In front of 29,000 spectators at a sold-out Jan Breydel Stadium, a BVB side that controlled the game struggled for a long time to break down the Belgian side's solid defence, repeatedly got hit by dangerous counter-attacks and could count themselves fortunate when the hosts, who came close to making it 1-0 several times, struck the crossbar (12). But it was the Black & Yellows who celebrated scoring what was – at that point – a flattering opener through substitute Gittens (76), who wrapped up the result when he scored his second goal 10 minutes later. Guirassy rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
The scenario:
The two clubs had already met four times home and away in European competition. BVB had picked up victories in their last two games in Bruges: 1-0 in 2018 and 3-0 in 2020.
Personnel matters:
All the players were available with the exception of the injured Giovanni Reyna. U23 player Ayman Azhil, 23, was involved for the first time. Nuri Sahin made three changes compared to the league match against Heidenheim on Friday (4-2 win): Schlotterbeck, Can and Sabitzer replaced Anton, Nmecha and Guirassy (all substitutes) in the starting XI.
Tactics:
The two teams took to the field in a 4-2-3-1 formation with full-backs positioned high up the pitch and switched to a 4-4-2 when defending, with attacking wingers Skov Olsen and Tziolis at times dropping back to form a six-man rearguard for Bruges. When in possession, Vetlesen advanced from the double pivot into attacking midfield and played alongside Vanaken. The Belgians repeatedly ceded vast swathes of territory to Borussia, withdrew deep, kept the space very tight for the Dortmund attack – in which Malen led the line up top – and relied on counter-attacks which were executed directly and at the highest tempo.
The match & analysis:
Centre-forward Malen made his presence felt from the beginning. He volleyed a cross from Ryerson only narrowly wide of the goal from a tight angle in the fourth minute and later saw his shot on the turn denied by the strong reactions of Mignolet in goal for the hosts (16). The veteran shot-stopper was also on hand to keep out Adeyemi's long-range strike in the seventh minute.
BVB had significantly more possession and also more action in front of the opposition goal. But the clearer opportunities in the opening 45 minutes fell to the "Blauw en Zwart". There was a moment of grave danger in the Dortmund box following a short corner, as they failed to clear the ball. Instead, Onyedika tested Kobel from close range and Vetlesen fired the follow-up against the bar (12). They also did not defend counter-attacks quite right on occasions. Such as in the 38th minute, when Skov Olsen surged into the box but was denied by Kobel.
Borussia were not exuding the authority that Sahin had been hoping for. The self-confidence was missing from their attacking actions in close confines, their play largely proving predictable for their hard-running and committed opponents. And there were also defensive wobbles, with the opposition registering 11 shots in the first half while they themselves only managed eight despite a 65% share of the possession. The left-flank pairing of Bensebaini and Adeyemi, who was repeatedly able to create space for himself, looked much livelier than the right-wing duo of Ryerson and Sabitzer.
Sahin allowed his starting line-up to continue for 13 more minutes after the break but with the balance of play hardly changing – Sabitzer could not direct his free-kick on target following a foul on Adeyemi in a promising position (53), but Vanaken once again posed a grave danger in response – a double substitution was made: Guirassy and Anton replaced Malen and Bensebaini. This was accompanied by a tactical tweak: like in their first three competitive matches, the team now operated in a 3-2-4-1 formation in possession of the ball with Ryerson on the right flank, which allowed Sabitzer could move further inside.
But Brugge continued to be closer to the opening goal than Borussia. Vetlesen forced Kobel into another save from 16 metres out (63). The home team had the upper hand. Attack after attack rained down on the Dortmund goal. Sahin made another double switch, Nmecha and Gittens coming on for Groß and Sabitzer 20 minutes from time. Gittens occupied the left flank, with Adeyemi in a centre-right No. 10 position. After 75 minutes, BVB made their first structured foray forward in a long time. Ryerson sharply played the ball into the middle and Brandt had the vision to find Can. He in turn played the ball from a centre-left position into the box to Gittens, whose deflected shot found the far corner to make it 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the 76th minute. Just as he did in the league opener, the youngster then added a second. He was again fed in a centre-left position in the box (this time by Nmecha) and he then beat two opponents before hitting a low shot with placement into the far corner (86). A penalty was awarded in stoppage time for a foul on Guirassy, who himself stepped up and confidently converted with practically the last kick of the game (90+5).
Outlook:
BVB will continue their campaign in this competition with a home game against Celtic on 1 October. Beforehand, they will be in Bundesliga action away to VfB Stuttgart this Sunday (17:30 CEST), before facing off against VfL Bochum on home turf – also in the league – next Friday evening (20:30 CEST).
Teams & goals
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Matchday 1
CLUB BRUGGE 0-3 (0-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Club Brugge: Mignolet – Seys (Sabbe, 71), Ordonez, Mechele, de Cuyper – Vetlesen (Vermant, 85), Onyedika – Skov Olsen, Vanaken, Tzolis (Talb, 85) – Nilsson (Jutglà, 65)
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel – Ryerson, Süle, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini (Anton, 59) – Can, Groß (Nmecha, 68) – Sabitzer (Gittens, 68), Brandt, Adeyemi (Couto, 87) – Malen (Guirassy, 59)
Substitutes: Jackers, Romero, Skóraś, Nielsen, Jashari – Meyer, Lotka, Duranville, Beier, Kabar, Azhil
Goals: 0-1 Gittens (Can, 76), 0-2 Gittens (Nmecha, 86), 0-3 Guirassy (penalty for foul on Guirassy by Mechele, 90+5)
Corners: 4-3 (3-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 4-6 (2-2)
Referee: Peljto (Bosnia-Herzegovina), yellow cards: Vetlesen – Ryerson
Attendance: 29,000 (sold-out), weather: dry, 20 degrees