Borussia Dortmund kicked off their Champions League campaign with a dramatic victory over Athletic Bilbao. After a masterclass performance for the first hour, the Black and Yellows let Bilbao back into the game, turning a comfortable lead into a nail-biting finish. Here’s a breakdown of how the match unfolded and what it means for BVB’s European ambitions.
- Dortmund led comfortably after perfect 60 minutes.
- Goals from Svensson and Chukwuemeka put BVB in control.
- Bilbao fought back, making the final minutes tense.
- Guirassy’s own goal and Brandt’s late strike sealed the win.
- This victory boosts Dortmund’s confidence for upcoming tough fixtures.
A Near-Perfect Start Throws Away Comfort
Borussia Dortmund delivered a stunning display for the majority of their Champions League clash against Athletic Bilbao. For a full hour, the team played football that would make any coach proud, executing their game plan with precision and control. Goals from Daniel Svensson in the 28th minute and Carney Chukwuemeka on his debut in the 50th minute seemed to put the game firmly in BVB’s grasp.
Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl acknowledged the team’s brilliant first hour. “We played a great game, scored four goals, it was a deserved victory. We are very happy, our positive journey continues, and that was our absolute goal. The facts speak for us; we’ve only had one loss in the last 18 games.” However, he also pointed out a lapse in concentration:
“We had a phase where it was a bit shaky, the team wasn’t at full strength then. But there was so much positive to report afterwards.”
Bilbao Fights Back: The Unsettling Turnaround
Just when Dortmund thought they had the match under control, a series of unforced errors and a lapse in defensive focus allowed Athletic Bilbao to creep back into the game. A defensive mix-up involving Niklas Süle and Waldemar Anton gifted Gorka Guruzeta an easy tap-in in the 61st minute, completely shifting the momentum. Suddenly, the stadium was buzzing, and Bilbao, sensing an opportunity, pushed for an equalizer.
BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel felt the shift in atmosphere. “We struggled a bit towards the end, but thank God we pulled the game back to our side with two goals,” he stated. “It was important for me that we stayed cool. The stadium got a bit restless after the 1-2, Bilbao gained more momentum.” Indeed, Bilbao came close to leveling the score, with Robert Navarro hitting the post and then missing a golden opportunity.
Key Moments of Tension
| Minute | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 28′ | Daniel Svensson opens the scoring for BVB. | 1-0 |
| 50′ | Carney Chukwuemeka doubles Dortmund’s lead. | 2-0 |
| 61′ | Gorka Guruzeta pulls one back for Bilbao. | 2-1 |
| 82′ | Serhou Guirassy, deflected off Marcel Sabitzer, scores for Dortmund. | 3-1 |
| 90+1′ | Julian Brandt seals the victory. | 4-1 |
Clutch Performances and a Lucky Break
Just as Bilbao seemed poised to equalize, Dortmund’s defense stood tall. A heroic, last-ditch tackle by Daniel Svensson prevented Guruzeta from scoring from close range in the 78th minute – a moment that BVB officials later hailed as being as crucial as a goal itself.
Then, fortune favored the hosts. In the 82nd minute, Marcel Sabitzer unleashed a volley after a corner. The ball deflected fortuituously off the unsuspecting Guirassy and looped over the helpless Bilbao goalkeeper. It was a stroke of luck, but it restored Dortmund’s two-goal cushion and eased the pressure.
Finally, in stoppage time, Julian Brandt capped off a brilliant individual effort with a calm finish into the near post, putting the game beyond doubt at 4-1. This late flourish ensured Dortmund started their Champions League journey with a win, echoing their strong form in the Bundesliga.
Looking Ahead: Big Games on the Horizon
This victory is a significant confidence booster for Borussia Dortmund, especially with two major Bundesliga clashes looming. Next Saturday, they face the in-form RB Leipzig, followed by a monumental encounter against rivals Bayern Munich after the international break. Securing three points against Bilbao, despite the late scare, sets a positive tone for these critical upcoming fixtures.
Dortmund now sits comfortably with four points from their opening two Champions League matches, demonstrating their capability to compete at the highest level, both domestically and internationally.
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