Champions League
BVB can still do it away: clear success against Zagreb
Borussia Dortmund clearly won their Champions League away game against Dinamo Zagreb. This puts BVB in fourth place in the table.
Finally an away win again! With the 3-0 (1-0) win over the Croatian double winner Dinamo Zagreb, Borussia Dortmund took a big step towards direct qualification for the knockout round of the Champions League. Goals from Jamie Gittens (41st minute), Ramy Bensebaini (56th) and Serhou Guirassy (90th) ensured the first competitive win away from home in over two months. However, national player Julian Brandt had to leave the field injured three days before the Bundesliga classic against FC Bayern Munich.
Dortmund last won an away game in the European premier class on September 18th. At that time there was also a 3-0 win at FC Brugge. After the fully deserved success against the passive team of former Bundesliga coach Nenad Bjelica, the previous season’s Champions League finalist is still the most successful German participant in this competition. With twelve points from five games, coach Nuri Sahin’s team is fifth in the table.
BVB complaint about excessive fan controls
There were significant complaints from BVB fans around the game, who reported restrictive controls at the stadium entrance. “We condemn this form of controls and are currently in contact with UEFA and Dinamo Zagreb in order to report and process the incidents,” wrote the Bundesliga soccer team on the Internet platform X.
ℹ️ BVB received numerous complaints about cross-border actions by the security service as part of the identity checks during the entry phase. We condemn this form of controls and are currently in discussions with UEFA and Dinamo Zagreb to…
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) November 27, 2024
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The people of Dortmund spoke of “cross-border action by the security service”. Individual fans reported checks in their intimate areas. Accordingly, some supporters would have had to undress in tents. The game was classified as a risky game by UEFA. “We can expect a very emotional, very heated game on Wednesday,” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said before the game.
In fact, the approximately 25,000 spectators in the dilapidated Maksimir Stadium created a loud atmosphere, which was hardly fueled from the pitch. The Croatians, who were weakened, retreated far back and acted very defensively. BVB had a lot of possession and quickly created chances. Bensebaini hit the crossbar with his header (8'). Almost 20 minutes later, Donyell Malen failed to hit the crossbar. However, with many attacks in the first half, more would have been possible for the Westphalians.
Borussia Dortmund clearly superior against passive Croatians
Zagreb lost 9-2 to FC Bayern in September, but picked up seven points in the three following games. With a fairly inexperienced team, the team of former Union Berlin coach Bjelica was only looking for destruction this time against BVB. Shortly before the end of the first half, the ball fidgeted in the Croatian net. Zagreb keeper Danijel Zagorac was ultimately powerless against a shot from around 14 meters after a previous solo by Gittens.
Dinamo did not change their destructive style of play even after the change. After a corner from Pascal Groß, Bensebaini took advantage of a major defensive mistake by Dinamo with his header. The game was thus decided. BVB continued to play confidently and with experience, withdrew a little and saved some of their energy for the game against Bayern. Zagreb was no longer dangerous. Shortly before the end, substitute Guirassy completed a counterattack to the final score.
DPA
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