Borussia Dortmund finally put together the kind of attacking performance we’ve been waiting for, snatching a crucial 2-1 victory against Sabah FK in Azerbaijan thanks to a double from Serhou Guirassy. This wasn’t just another win; it was a massive statement after a stretch of rough performances and results against Bodø/Glimt and Union Berlin that had us all scratching our heads.
Guirassy Delivered, But the System Shift Lit the Fuse
Guirassy delivered exactly what a striker is supposed to, bagging both goals for BVB and making sure they came away with all three points. He was a constant threat, too, with eight touches in Sabah’s penalty area. His performance easily silenced the minor concerns folks had about his play so far this season, showing that when he is well fed, he will absolutely do his job. Coach Niko Kovač made a smart move tonight, opting for a 3-5-2 formation that saw Fabio Silva partnering Guirassy up top, with Carney Chukwuemeka at the peak of the midfield three. This tactical shift paid off big time, and Dortmund’s offense looked way more fluid. The numbers don’t lie, either: BVB put up a massive 3.72 xG compared to Sabah’s 1.47 xG. Honestly, Dortmund could have had way more goals. Oh, and here’s a wild stat: TNT Sports told us BVB has gone 13 years without a goalless draw in the Champions League, and they kept that insane streak alive tonight!
The Midfield Engine Finally Roared
While Guirassy got the goals, the midfield absolutely showed up, bringing a level of creativity and impact that was seriously missing in recent weeks. This was Carney Chukwuemeka’s first start of the season, and man, did he seize the moment! He was lively from the jump, creating five chances and racking up an incredible 0.76 expected assists (xA). The talent is obvious, and we’re all hoping he can stay fit because he could be huge for this team. Then there’s Felix Nmecha, who also contributed an identical 0.76 xA. That’s rare, especially for such a high xA, and I had to double-check the stats to make sure it wasn’t a mistake! Nmecha also chipped in 0.2 xG and plenty else all over the pitch. Even Joey Veerman, who I’ve been pretty critical of since he joined this summer because he looked off the pace, showed what he’s capable of. Everything was running through Veerman tonight. He had more touches (69) and more passes (69/79 for 87% completion) than anyone else, created three chances, and even picked up an assist. We still need to be patient with him, but this game was a glimpse into his potential. It wasn’t a perfect performance, though; BVB’s other forwards could have been more clinical, and there was a ten-minute stretch right before halftime where the entire team seemed to switch off, allowing Sabah most of their best chances and their goal.
But after some concerning, flat performances over the last week or so, this 2-1 win feels like a massive step forward. Guirassy proved he’s the man, and the midfield finally showed what it’s truly capable of. If Dortmund can build on this newfound fluidity and keep that midfield fire burning, the rest of the Champions League better be ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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