Dortmund Dominate Sporting in Play-Off Clash
Borussia Dortmund secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, putting them in a strong position to reach the last 16. A second-half surge saw Dortmund score three goals, with Serhou Guirassy leading the way with a goal and an assist.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with Sporting CP creating the better chances. Maxi Araujo’s powerful effort struck the crossbar, while Conrad Harder also tested Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
However, Dortmund took control after the break. Guirassy opened the scoring with a header in the 60th minute, before setting up Pascal Gross for a second goal just eight minutes later. Karim Adeyemi then added a third goal late on to complete a clinical display from the German side.
This victory marked a successful European debut for new Dortmund manager Niko Kovač, who took over last week following the dismissal of Nuri Şahin. Kovac will be hoping to build on this impressive result and guide Dortmund to the Champions League last 16.
Despite their Champions League success, Dortmund have struggled domestically this season. They currently sit 11th in the Bundesliga and are in danger of missing out on qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Kovac acknowledged the team’s need for improvement, particularly in their domestic form.
“On Saturday we go to VfL Bochum and we will face a tough task there,” Kovač said. “We now have to keep going.”
Sporting CP will be disappointed with the result, having failed to capitalize on their first-half dominance. Manager Rui Borges lamented his team’s inability to maintain their composure and defensive shape after conceding the first goal.
“After the goal, our spirits dropped and we lost our collective balance,” Borges said. “The result ends up being unfair. We let the game go the way Borussia like it.”
Dortmund will be confident of securing their place in the last 16 when they host Sporting CP in the second leg next week. They will then turn their attention back to the Bundesliga, where they face a crucial match against Bochum.
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