Dortmund revived their Champions League form in Baku, edging Sabah 2‑1 after a lively duel. Guirassy’s brace answered the sting of their recent defeat to Bodø/Glimt. Can the Germans finally bounce back?
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Sabah FK 1–2 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Guirassy 10′, 1-1 McCarthy 39′ (assist: Puchacz), 1-2 Guirassy 53′ (assist: Veerman)
Dortmund travelled to Azerbaijan for their third Champions League league-phase fixture against Sabah FK, who had beaten Slavia Prague 2-0 in their previous home outing in the competition. Niko Kovač made four changes from the side held to a goalless draw by Union Berlin, bringing in Fabio Silva, Carney Chukwuemeka, Joey Veerman and Ramy Bensebaini. Both sides had been level on points in the league-phase table before kick-off.
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Joey Veerman was one of four changes for BVB and provided the assist for their second goal. – IMAGO/DeFodi.de –>
Guirassy’s early strike
The hosts set the tone early, with Silva forcing two saves in the first six minutes. Pressure paid off at the ten‑minute mark when Felix Nmecha’s shot forced Pokalitov into a weak parry, allowing Guirassy to tap home from close range and give Dortmund the lead.
Guirassy finished sharply after a blistering start. – GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE
Sabah hit back before the break – will they finish stronger in the second half?
Dortmund kept probing, testing Pokalitov with Veerman’s free‑kick and a follow‑up from Chukwuemeka, while Steve Solvet earned a first‑half booking for a challenge on Nmecha.
Sabah grew into the game, and after Joy‑Lance Mickels saw his effort chalked off for offside, they equalised in the 39th minute when Tymoteusz Puchacz delivered a right‑flank free‑kick and Aden McCarthy headed past Gregor Kobel. For my money, the hosts showed the resilience needed to trouble any side.
They capitalised on late‑first‑half pressure, leaving Dortmund with plenty to ponder at the break. – GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE