Sabah 1-2 Dortmund: Talking points from an improved BVB display
Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways for the first time in four matches after beating Sabah FK 2-1 in the Champions League. A double from Serhou Guirassy on either side of a goal from Aden McCarthy got the job done for the BVB against their spirited hosts, who kept fighting till the very end. Here are three key talking points from the match:
1) Serhou Guirassy roars back into form
How desperately we've been waiting for him pull this off! Without a goal in five consecutive appearances for Dortmund, Guirassy's loss of form had become a major concern in the side, but the Guinea rose to the plate tonight to score both their goals and announce his return in resounding fashion.
He broke the deadlock in the 10th minute by pouncing on a loose ball after Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov spilled Felix Nmecha's shot, before restoring Dortmund's lead eight minutes into the second half with a delicate chip over him after connecting brilliantly with Joey Veerman's splendid cross.
2) Kovac's new system fuels attacking firepower
Borussia Dortmund were dangerous from the off, and much of that is down to Kovac's new formation. Departing from his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, the manager played a highly attacking 3-1-4-2 with Felix Nmecha and Carney Chukwuemeka joining marauding full-backs Julian Ryerson and Daniel Svensson in more advanced roles off the forwards, Fabio Silva and Serhou Guirassy.
The result was a highly menacing display from the visitors, who had four shots on target in just the opening 15 minutes. Silva, Guirassy, Svensson and Nmecha all called Pokatilov into action as Sabah were on the tenterhooks. Veerman's presence helped in switching play out wide whenever the home side looked to crowd the centre, while Silva's incisive runs punched holes in their defense.
3) Dortmund can and should do more
Despite a dominant display, fans weren't convinced with the final scoreline. For 22 shots and nine attempts on target, a victory by just a 2-1 margin looks feeble, especially against a side that's playing in the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Although the BVB improved on their chance-creation here, that killer finishing was still lacking, particularly with Silva, Bensebaini and a few others shooting their shots high and wide. Dortmund should have been able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck given the number of openings they had, but some poor finishing in the final third let them down.
