Sehrou Guirassy’s Heroic Performance Propels Dortmund to Victory
Sehrou Guirassy, the dynamic forward from Guinea, was the star of the show as Borussia Dortmund secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday. Playing at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Guirassy’s decisive goal in the 60th minute not only broke the deadlock but also saw him become the competition’s outright top scorer with his 10th goal. His impressive performance extended beyond just his goal, as he later provided an excellent cross for Pascal Gross to score the second, further cementing Dortmund’s dominance.
An Intense First Half and a Dominant Second
The first half of the match was a tale of two teams, with Sporting Lisbon controlling the proceedings and creating several promising chances. Francisco Trincao’s long-range effort and Maxi Araujo’s fierce strike that hit the crossbar highlighted Sporting’s early dominance. Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, was kept busy, making crucial saves to keep the score level. However, the tide turned dramatically in the second half. Under the guidance of new coach Niko Kovac, Dortmund emerged with renewed vigor, demonstrating exceptional "mentality, physicality, and aggression" as praised by Kovac himself.
Dortmund’s Striking Counter-Attack
Dortmund’s second-half performance was a masterclass in rapid counter-attacks. Guirassy’s goal, a superb looping header from Julian Brandt’s cross, gave Dortmund the lead they needed. The German side continued to press, and Gross’s second goal, a well-improvised finish from Guirassy’s cross, further extended their lead. The final goal, scored by Karim Adeyemi, was a testament to Dortmund’s clinical finishing. Adeyemi’s counter-attack, where he fed Brandt and then darted into the box to tap home, completed their dominant performance. The match marked Dortmund’s first win under Kovac and their first clean sheet in 14 matches across all competitions.
Sporting’s First-Half Prominence and Second-Half Struggles
Sporting Lisbon, who had a tough group phase and narrowly avoided elimination, started the match with confidence. Under the temporary leadership of Rui Borges, who took over in December, the team showed promising form. However, their momentum faltered in the second half. Despite making tactical changes, such as bringing on top scorer Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting struggled to regain control. Borges acknowledged the team’s drop in spirits and physical performance after conceding the first goal. He stressed the need for improvement, noting that "in the Champions League we need to be at 200 percent and we’re not even at 100 percent."
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
The 3-0 victory puts Dortmund in a strong position for the second leg in Dortmund on February 19. Kovac’s team, who narrowly missed out on a top-eight finish and automatic progression to the last 16, will be aiming to maintain their momentum. Gross emphasized the importance of the win, noting that the team’s confidence grew significantly after the break. For Sporting, the challenge is steep, but they remain determined. Defender Matheus Reis vowed, "In Dortmund, we will go with the mentality of trying to win, we know it will be difficult, but we are Sporting and we will fight until the end."
A Promising Start for Kovac and Dortmund
Niko Kovac’s second match in charge has been a resounding success, providing a much-needed boost to Dortmund’s campaign. The team’s defensive solidity and attacking prowess were on full display, showing glimpses of the form that stunned European giants last season. Kovac’s emphasis on the team’s mental and physical attributes paid off, and the players responded with a disciplined and dynamic performance. As they prepare for the second leg, the positive momentum gained from this victory will be crucial. For now, Dortmund and their fans can celebrate a significant step forward in their Champions League journey.
