Champions League: Gittens redeems long-weakened BVB in Bruges

Borussia Dortmund played a weak game for a long time in their Champions League opener in Bruges – but Jamie Gittens saved the win for BVB.

With the 3-0 (0-0) win at FC Bruges, BVB was ranked third in the 36-club long and still not very meaningful table of the reformed Champions League on matchday 1 until at least Thursday. The first eight places lead directly to the round of 16, places 9 to 24 to the intermediate round. The goals for Dortmund were scored by Jamie Gittens (76th/86th) and Serhou Guirassy (90th+4, penalty).

Gittens saved BVB’s opening win. “It was tough in the first half. We were angry and allowed chances,” said Julian Brandt on DAZN. At the end, you could see that Bruges’ strength was waning. “So the bench decided the game for us.”

BVB starts strong, Bruges fails on the crossbar

There were chances on both sides at the beginning. Donyell Malen shot a volley from the left side just wide of the goal (4th minute), while Karim Adeyemi’s long-range shot was saved by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet (7th minute).

Bruges’ first best opportunity came in the 12th minute when, after several shots were blocked, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel parried a shot from Raphael Onyedika, but Hugo Vetlesen then had a free shot from four meters – and hit the underside of the crossbar. The game remained a high point until halftime.

High workload – Sahin initially dispensed with Guirassy

Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin initially decided not to use new Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy. “I would really, really like to start with Serhou,” Sahin said before the game on DAZN.

“Nevertheless, I also have a responsibility towards the players and towards their health. If it were up to Serhou and me, he would be in the starting eleven today. But we want to have him for the whole season.” The new Champions League format could mean up to four additional games for each team compared to before.

Bruges with chances in the second half, BVB with the goals

In the second half, Bruges became more dangerous. Hans Vanaken’s shot was blocked by Nico Schlotterbeck, and Vanaken then shot over the goal (55th minute). Two minutes later, the loyal Christos Tzolis narrowly missed the goal. Vetlesen then shot from 15 meters, but goalkeeper Kobel had to clear (63rd minute). BVB coach Sahin had reacted in the meantime and brought on Guirassy for Malen. Waldemar Anton replaced Ramy Bensebaini at the back.

But another substitute player secured Dortmund’s lucky win: Jamie Gittens got the ball on the left side of the penalty area, his shot was deflected twice and landed on the right side of the goal (76′). An effective goal, Dortmund became more confident, Julian Brandt missed the chance to make it 2-0 a little later (81′).

Gittens then used the successful pattern of his first goal again: Again he moved inwards from the left of the penalty area and scored into the right corner to make it 2-0 (86′). Guirassy also scored his first goal for BVB: He converted a penalty after he had been fouled himself (90’+4′).

In the Bundesliga in Stuttgart, in the Champions League against Celtic

BVB’s next match in the Bundesliga is an away game against VfB Stuttgart on Sunday (September 22, 2024/5:30 p.m.). This is followed by a home game on a Friday evening (September 27, 2024/8:30 p.m.) against VfL Bochum, before Celtic Glasgow comes to Dortmund on Matchday 2 of the Champions League (October 1, 2024/9 p.m.).

Borussia Dortmund’s dates for your calendar.