Guirassy's Masterclass in Champions League Triumph
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Serhou Guirassy propelled Borussia Dortmund to a commanding 3-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League play-off first leg. Guirassy's standout performance, highlighted by his 10th Champions League goal of the season, positions him as the competition's top scorer. His 60th-minute goal, a masterful header, looped over Sporting's goalkeeper, Rui Silva, sparking Dortmund's dominance in the match.
Adding to his impact, Guirassy provided an assist for the second goal, showcasing his versatility and teamwork. Composed play in the 68th minute set up Pascal Gross, doubling Dortmund's lead. As if that wasn't enough, Karim Adeyemi clinched the win with a textbook finish in the 82nd minute, following a swift counter-attack that left Sporting's defense struggling to keep up.
Dortmund's Transformation Under Niko Kovac
This significant victory also marks an important milestone for their new coach, Niko Kovac, who achieved his first European win with Dortmund. Despite a shaky start where Sporting looked the more settled side, Kovac's team found their rhythm after the break. Sporting's early chances included Maxi Araujo's attempt hitting the crossbar and Gregor Kobel's crucial saves keeping Dortmund in the game.
Kovac praised his team's resilience and ability to turn the game around, noting their improved aggression and composure in the second half. "The lads did a great job," he emphasized, proud of the mentality and determination shown by his squad.
Meanwhile, Rui Borges, Sporting's coach, acknowledged the physical and mental demands the match placed on his team, admitting, "The result ended up being unfair... We need to be at 200 percent in the Champions League." The pressure is now on the Portuguese side to overturn the deficit when they meet Dortmund again on February 19. Defender Matheus Reis remains defiant, declaring that they will "fight until the end," despite facing a daunting task in the upcoming fixture.
February 12 2025 0
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