Champions League soccer: Lucky objective brings BVB the opening win in Bruges | EUROtoday

Jamie Gittens saved Borussia Dortmund from a nasty begin to the brand new Champions League season. Thanks specifically to the 20-year-old's targets (76th and 86th minutes), BVB managed a 3-0 (0-0) win towards Belgian champions FC Bruges. Substitute Serhou Guirassy scored the third objective from a penalty in harm time. It was his first objective for BVB.

“You can still score goals at the end of the game,” mentioned Julian Brandt on DAZN. “It was tough in the first half. We ran a lot and allowed a lot of good chances. It was a lot of work.” But what additionally units the group aside is “that our bench also scores the goals. We have a good squad across the board.”

109 days after dropping the ultimate towards Real Madrid, Dortmund heard the Champions League anthem once more within the stadium, Sahin for the primary time as BVB head coach. He had “slept well,” the 36-year-old reported to the streaming service DAZN shortly earlier than kick-off, however within the Jan Breydel Stadium, “the tingling sensation” started early on.

The Bundesliga group, which certified for essentially the most profitable league as fifth within the desk through UEFA's particular regulation, began nicely. Donyell Malen may have taken the lead within the fourth minute from a promising place, however the striker's shot was a bit too inaccurate. Bruges goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had no hassle with Karim Adeyemi's long-range shot (7').

Three adjustments after the victory within the Bundesliga

However, there was no signal of the earlier season's finalists being notably dominant. Bruges, at the moment second within the Belgian Pro League, held up nicely and saved in search of alternatives to counterattack. Dortmund additionally had lots of luck when the hosts had a number of possibilities – and Gregor Kobel. The goalkeeper made a powerful save towards Raphael Onyedika after pictures from the Belgians had been blocked. Hugo Vetlesen solely hit the crossbar with the blocked ball (12').

Compared to the 4-2 win towards 1. FC Heidenheim, Sahin determined to make three adjustments to the beginning lineup, with Guirassy, ​​amongst others, initially sitting on the bench after his BVB debut on Friday. “We have a really high-quality squad and the boys know how I feel about it,” Sahin mentioned.

By half-time, the function mannequin of the primary jiffy had solidified. BVB had considerably extra possession, performed considerably extra passes, however hardly ever obtained behind the hosts' tight protection. Bruges appeared extra harmful on the uncommon counterattacks. Former Düsseldorf participant Christos Tzolis needed a penalty after a problem with Nico Schlotterbeck within the Dortmund penalty space, however was denied (33'). Andreas Skov Olsen examined Kobel a bit later (37').

The Joker hits

Sahin didn’t make any substitutions through the break, however the gamers on the pitch solely partially rewarded his belief. After a free kick from Marcel Sabitzer missed the submit, Hans Vanaken had a shot within the Dortmund penalty space, however the shot was too excessive (fifty fifth minute). Guirassy and Waldemar Anton had been then substituted for Malen and Ramy Bensebaini (59th minute).

The subsequent good likelihood was once more Bruges' when Kobel needed to intervene when Vetlesen shot (63'). The hosts had been a lot nearer to the lead throughout this part, which appeared to visibly annoy Sahin on the sidelines. The coach saved shouting directions onto the pitch – and introduced on Gittens for Sabitzer (68').

Eight minutes later, the 20-year-old did what a joker is meant to do: After a cross from Emre Can, Gittens beat goalkeeper Mignolet with a deflected shot and was celebrated for the primary time by the touring BVB followers. The offensive participant scored his second objective after a powerful particular person effort – the sport was determined, however the third Dortmund objective nonetheless helped the desk statistics.