Serhou Guirassy did the damage in the first half and again just after the break, giving Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 win over Sabah FA in Baku on Tuesday. McCarthy pulled one back for the hosts before half-time to make it interesting, but Guirassy’s second on 53 minutes settled matters. Niko Kovac’s side had to withstand a physical Sabah FA outfit that collected four yellow cards, but in terms of quality they were never seriously threatened: Dortmund finished the game with an xG of 3.74 against the hosts’ 1.51.
Key Moments
- 10′, Guirassy opens the scoring with a straightforward finish to put Borussia Dortmund ahead early at the Baku Olympic Stadium.
- 39′, McCarthy, operating as a defender, hauls Sabah FA level just before the break, converting from a Puchacz delivery to make it 1-1 at half-time.
- 53′, Guirassy restores Dortmund’s advantage eight minutes into the second half, finishing from a Veerman assist to put the visitors back in front.
- 65′, Sabah FA make a double substitution, bringing on Isaev and Mbina for Du Queiroz and Parris, looking to freshen up their attack.
- 71′, Kovac responds with a triple change, introducing Bellingham and Sabitzer among others to manage the game home.
Tactical Breakdown
Dortmund arrived in their 3-4-2-1 shape and controlled the game through volume: 22 shots to Sabah FA’s 13, nine corners to four, and 55 percent possession. Their xG of 3.74 tells the story of a side that created chances consistently, even if the final scoreline was narrower than the underlying numbers suggested. Veerman was the fulcrum in midfield, completing 90 minutes and providing the assist for the second goal, while Chukwuemeka added energy in the wider attacking role before being taken off on 71 minutes.
The turning point came almost immediately after half-time. Sabah FA had gone in at 1-1 and might have taken belief from the draw, but Guirassy and Veerman combined within eight minutes of the restart to put Dortmund back ahead. Kovac then rotated heavily from the 71st minute onward, using all five substitutions to manage his squad. The changes, including the introduction of Bellingham and Sabitzer, allowed Dortmund to coast through the final quarter without any real alarm.
Sabah FA’s issues were largely disciplinary and positional. Four yellow cards, including ones for Solvet, Lepinjica, McCarthy, and Zedadka, disrupted their rhythm and forced the hosts into a conservative shape. Their goalkeeper Pokatilov kept the score respectable with six saves, and McCarthy’s goal was a genuine moment of quality. But with only 45 percent possession and their xG at 1.51, the hosts never found enough sustained pressure to threaten a second equalizer.
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Verdict
Borussia Dortmund pick up their first three points of this UEFA Champions League campaign after a defeat on matchday 1, with Guirassy doing the heavy lifting again. Sabah FA, who won their opening group game, now have three points from two matches and will need to regroup ahead of future home fixtures. With just two matchdays played, nothing is decided for either side, but Dortmund’s attacking output in Baku, built around Guirassy and the creative play of Veerman, will give Kovac reasons for confidence going forward.