Schürrle reduces deficit to 2-1 to give BVB glimmer of hope ahead of second leg

Boris Rupert reporting

The 53,700-strong crowd – including 1,550 Salzburg fans – witnessed an intense match in which the visitors created two gilt-edged chances towards the end of the first half before taking the lead via a controversial penalty at the start of the second. Berisha, who converted that spot-kick, doubled the advantage on 55 minutes before Schürrle halved the deficit just after the hour mark (62).

The scenario: 
BVB are one of only three clubs to have played the first leg of their Round of 32 ties at home and made it through to the last 16, as well as being one of the three sides left that entered the competition via the Champions League. Of all the teams remaining, Salzburg had the longest route to the Round of 16, having started with two Champions League qualifying rounds and played 14 times in total – without losing a game. The Austrians had the best defence (one goal conceded) in the group stages and overcame Real Sociedad in the last 32 thanks to a 2-1 win at home and a 2-2 draw away.

Personnel matters: 
BVB were without Piszczek (match fitness), Kagawa (ankle), Yarmolenko (foot tendon injury), Durm (torn lateral collateral ligament in ankle) and Rode (rehab). Peter Stöger made two changes to the line-up that started the 1-1 draw in Leipzig, reintroducing Castro and Sokratis to the starting XI in place of Piszczek and Akanji (ineligible for European competition). Guerreiro was included in the squad for the first time since the start of February after overcoming injury.

Tactics:  
Salzburg bolstered their defence down the left flank in a bid to curb the danger posed by Reus. Without possession, the Austrians switched between a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3 formation, in which Berisha joined strikers Dabbur and Hwang in pressing from the front. Schlager, meanwhile, played in a very deep role down the left, with Haidara, Samassékou and Berisha closing down the passing channels in the centre. BVB continued in the 4-2-3-1 formation they have deployed in recent weeks, with Dahoud and Weigl the defensive midfield duo. Further forward, Götze and Reus frequently switched positions and roles.

The match & analysis:
Not only did Salzburg deliver a consistent defensive performance, but they looked to get forward as well whenever the opportunity arose. Dortmund, meanwhile, struggled to get into the game and settle into their rhythm – and despite having some highly promising build-up play they only created one decent goalscoring opportunity in the opening 45 minutes. That sole chance came following a set-piece on the six-minute mark, when Schürrle volleyed a Reus corner over the bar. There was another half-chance when Dahoud threaded a through-ball into the path of Batshuayi, but Salzburg shot-stopper Walke was on hand to thwart the danger (34).

But as the first half drew to a close, it was the visitors who came the closest to breaking the deadlock. Hwang was brilliantly denied by Bürki in a one-on-one situation after being set up by Schlager, but with the BVB custodian still on the ground Dabbur headed the follow-up from eight metres over him and the danger was only averted by Schmelzer on the goal-line (40). Five minutes later, Hwang struck the upright with a deflected shot from 17 metres out.

Then, two minutes after the restart, Hwang cut in from the right and dribbled along the byline towards the BVB box, with Toprak sharp on his heels. And although the BVB defender was holding the Korean back, the foul was probably committed outside the penalty area. Nonetheless, the watchful goal-line assistant pointed to the spot and Berisha stepped up, sending Bürki the wrong way with a low shot into the bottom right corner (49).

One goal turned into two when Schmelzer was fouled going forward and Salzburg countered through Haida, who picked out Lainer on the right flank. He cut the ball back and it was fired into the top-corner by the unmarked Berisha from 13 metres out (56).

Borussia responded by making a double substitution, with Philipp and Pulisic replacing Batshuayi and Götze. Seconds later Reus found the young American on the right and his cross was bundled over the line by Schürrle to make it 2-1 (62). BVB were back in the game. Philipp missed Dahoud's cross and Schürrle fired wide (75), before Sokratis headed Schmelzer's free-kick over the bar (81). By this point, Salzburg were pinned back in their own half but still looked dangerous on the counter.

Outlook: 
Before traveling to Salzburg for the return leg next Thursday (kick-off 21:05 CET), Borussia Dortmund will take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga (Sunday, 18:00 CET).

Teams & goals