Guirassy brace sends Dortmund past Sabah in Champions League clash

Borussia Dortmund have moved to six points in the Champions League group stage after Serhou Guirassy struck twice in a 2-1 win away to Sabah FK in Baku.

Guirassy settles tight Baku test

1. Felix Nmecha created Dortmund’s early breakthrough, with Guirassy converting in the 10th minute.
2. Sabah responded before the interval as Aden McCarthy finished from Tymoteusz Puchacz’s delivery in the 39th minute, bringing the hosts level.
3. Joey Veerman supplied the key pass eight minutes after the restart, allowing Guirassy to score his second and restore Dortmund’s advantage in the 53rd minute.
4. Niko Kovac made a triple change in the 71st minute, replacing Ramy Bensebaini, Carney Chukwuemeka and Nmecha to reinforce control for the closing stages.
5. A further switch followed in the 77th minute when Svensson went off, while Fabio Silva was replaced in the first minute of stoppage time.

Dortmund had the greater share of the ball, recording 55% possession, and their attacking pressure was reflected in 23 attempts and 3.06 expected goals. Sabah produced 1.13 xG and remained in the contest, but could not force another breakthrough.

Dortmund manage late Sabah pressure

Gregor Kobel made three saves, although there was little he could do to prevent McCarthy’s close-range equaliser. The goalkeeper’s distribution also helped Dortmund keep possession and dictate much of the match.

At the back, Waldemar Anton operated as part of Dortmund’s three-player build-up structure and helped the side register 44 clearances. Bensebaini was taken off after 71 minutes following a physically demanding display on the left, having at times been tested by Sabah’s movement in wide areas.

The Dortmund captain organised the defensive line, helped the visitors win four aerial duels while losing one, and provided composure when the home side pressed late on. Julian Ryerson gave energy on the flank and tracked Sabah’s attacks diligently, while Svensson supplied width before his 77th-minute withdrawal.

Veerman and Nmecha supply the difference

Veerman’s influence was decisive after half-time. The Dutch midfielder found a way through Sabah’s compact midfield line to set up Guirassy’s winner, while Nmecha had already made the first goal with his intelligent early contribution.

Chukwuemeka carried the ball effectively through midfield before his substitution, and Silva’s running in the channels helped open space for Guirassy despite the forward not adding a goal himself.

Guirassy was the defining figure, taking both of his major chances to make Dortmund’s superiority count. Kovac’s late midfield and defensive adjustments then prevented Sabah from building sustained momentum as BVB saw out the result.