Batshuayi brace and Schürrle strike earn BVB 3-2 win in Köln

Dennis-Julian Gottschlich reporting from Cologne

The 50,000 fans at the RheinEnergieSTADION witnessed an even encounter in which BVB just about had the upper hand. Kagawa hit the woodwork for the visitors after a quarter of an hour but they eventually took the lead when new signing Batshuayi tapped home from six metres on 35 minutes. After the restart it became an open and, at times, spectacular duel. Zoller levelled at 1-1 on the hour-mark but Batshuayi replied instantly to re-establish the lead (62). Köln, however, refused to throw in the towel and again restored parity – this time through Mere – from a corner (69), only for Schürrle to hit a wonderful strike on the counter six minutes from time to seal the 3-2 win.

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The scenario:
"It's not just an ordinary game," said Peter Stöger in the run-up to the match. "I was in Köln too long for that, I feel too at home in Köln." But ultimately it was about the three points, and the BVB boss was in no doubt the Black & Yellows needed to bring them home on Friday night. Dortmund, who travelled to Köln in sixth place, hadn't lost to the Billy Goats in four matches, including a 5-0 triumph in the reverse fixture. Peter Stöger had still been the Köln boss at that time.

Personnel matters:
Yarmolenko (tendon injury in foot), Schmelzer (torn muscle fibre in calf), Reus (fitness training), Rode (fitness training), Philipp (knee injury) and Durm (torn lateral collateral ligament in ankle) were unavailable for BVB. New signing Batshuayi came straight into the starting XI and replaced predecessor Aubameyang as the lone frontman. Peter Stöger made three other changes to the team that drew 2-2 against Freiburg, bringing in Weigl, Dahoud and Schürrle to replace Sahin, Castro and Sancho. 1. FC Köln were without Osako, Handwerker, Klünter, Bittencourt, Nartey and Risse.

Tactics:
BVB lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in which Batshuayi took over the centre-forward position as expected and played in a similar style to his predecessor Aubameyang. As part of the midfield three, Dahoud repeatedly reverted from his central position alongside Kagawa to a slightly more defensive role alongside Weigl. Köln opted for a 4-4-2, with Guirassy sitting in the hole behind the main striker Terodde and repeatedly drifting out to the flanks in a bid to feed his team-mate.

The match & analysis:
Generally speaking, BVB were the superior side from the off in Köln-Müngersdorf and managed time and time again to get themselves into dangerous positions in the final third. But there was little clear sight of goal until the 15-minute mark when Dahoud went on a dribbling run and found Kagawa, whose shot from 13 metres struck the woodwork. Batshuayi got his first gilt-edged opportunity six minutes later when Schürrle cut the ball back from the byline, only for Mere to scramble it away (21). But while the Black & Yellows enjoyed the upper hand, the Billy Goats looked extremely lively themselves. Most of their chances were the product of quick and tidy counter-attacks, with one notable opportunity coming when former Dortmund man Jojic shot from an unmarked position 12 metres out only to be denied by shot-stopper Bürki (13).

BVB take in lead at the break

Their next opportunity came only five minutes later via a counter down the right flank, although Terodde was unable to get the necessary direction on his header and Toprak managed to clear for a corner. So on the whole it was very much a balanced match, but it was the Black & Yellows who ultimately made the breakthrough and deservedly opened the scoring before the break. Toljan burst down the left and cut the ball back from the byline to Borussia's new signing Batshuayi, who made space for himself on the edge of the six-yard box and fired home from an unmarked position six metres out (35). The Belgian added another on the stroke of half-time but it was disallowed for offside after being reviewed by the video assistant referee (45).

The match continued in a similarly open vein after the restart, the action end-to-end. Weigl blocked the first shot of the second half from Jojic (48), while at the other end Piszczek drove a low cross into the middle only for Sörensen to clear with Schürrle lurking (50). Guirassy then had an effort from the corner of the box but it sailed centimetres over the frame of the goal (54), before Batshuayi was denied by Horn in a one-on-one two minutes later after being fed by Schürrle. Pulisic's follow-up was blocked by Hoger with Horn beaten (56). The two teams continued to trade blows and 1. FC Köln eventually restored parity from another counter-attack.

Schürrle curls into top corner

Pulisic was caught in possession in the opposition half by Heintz, who carried the ball to the Dortmund box and played a one-two with Terodde before hitting a low shot from 18 metres. Bürki stopped it but couldn't hold it, and substitute Zoller reacted in lightning-quick fashion, managing to head the ball over the line as he tumbled over. However, the teams only remained on level terms for two minutes. This time it was Borussia's turn to launch a counter and the ball ended up with Batshuayi, who found himself completely unmarked in the area. On this occasion he got the better of Horn as the keeper came rushing out, slipping the ball underneath him (62). It was not an undeserved lead for the Black & Yellows but it did little to settle the match down. Sensing they were still in with a shout, Köln continued to go on the offensive. A throw-in from the right landed at the feet of Zoller, but Bürki saved comfortably (65). Four minutes later Cordoba won a corner-kick for the Billy Goats. Hector floated the set-piece into the middle, where Mere outjumped his opponent and headed home another equaliser (69.).

It continued to be end-to-end until the final whistle. Almost every attack had the fans of both teams on edge, worried that the opposition might nick a winner. Batshuayi had a header from a Schürrle cross but directed it straight into Horn's arms (75). Then the Germany international went for goal himself, although Horn was again on hand to thwart the danger (81). But the breakthrough eventually came three minutes later when the visitors launched a counter and Kagawa picked out Schürrle. He could have played in Batshuayi but instead shot himself from 17 metres, curling the ball unstoppably into the top corner (84). Sokratis made a brilliant headed clearance (86) as Köln continued to launch wave after wave of attack, but BVB held on for the three points.

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Prospects:
BVB have a seven-day break before they welcome Hamburg to SIGNAL IDUNA PARK next Saturday (10 February, 15:30 CET).

Teams & goals