SC started bravely at a sold-out Signal Iduna Park. Perhaps one of the best tactics against a club that haven’t lost a home game on a Friday night in over 20 years. A loss also didn’t come to pass this Friday, with a SC performance that was brave over wide periods of the game not coming away with any points.

Michael Gregoritsch and Kiliann Sildillia returned to the starting eleven in place of the suspended Merlin Röhl and the injured Matthias Ginter. Ritsu Doan, back from the Asia Cup, was back in the squad in Dortmund. SC started alertly, attacked the BVB defence early and were defensively secure themselves, recognising Dortmund’s structure in attack and making interceptions. Those in attendance didn’t see any shots on goal in the first 10 minutes, with the hosts also defending well up until that point. The first sight of goal came in the 12th minute. Donyell Malen attempted an ambitious overhead kick, but it was straight at Noah Atubolu.

BVB take the lead and Gulde is forced off

Atubolu was given no chance with another effort from Malen in the 16th minute. After taking a good touch to get the ball out of his feet within the box, he powered the ball into the top right-hand corner to give Dortmund the lead. SC were well in the game, but the Bundesliga’s fourth-placed time showed a clinical side in front of goal. Gregoritsch had a good headed chance four minutes later after a cross from Lukas Kübler, but Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was at hand to make a strong save. Manuel Gulde’s game came to an end after 20 minutes, as he was forced off with a bandaged knee. “We are hoping that it is just his MCL,” said Christian Streich after the game.

Having gone behind, the game changed. SC dropped deeper defensively, looking to turn over the play and play quickly on the counter. They didn’t allow much defensively, but Dortmund controlled the game. After 35 minutes, the fans interrupted the game again, throwing coins onto the pitch and causing the game to be delayed for ten minutes. In the resulting additional time at the end of the first half, SC lost the ball in midfield, Dortmund countered, with Füllkrug playing the ball on to Malen, who slotted home to score his second goal of the evening (45+7’).

Efficient BVB

The second half began in a much more disjointed manner, with the first big chance going to the hosts after 54 minutes. Füllkrug shot from close range and Atubolu made a great save with his foot. Freiburg’s ‘keeper showed his ability once again after 70 minutes, turning a Marco Reus header around the post. One minute later, SC were a touch fortunate that Ian Maatsen only struck the post. Dortmund had full control of the game now, and Reus missed another good chance. Füllkrugfinally put the game to bed in the 87th minute with a well-directed header past Atubolu, leaving him no chance.

SC played with commitment, but had hardly any dangerous shots on goal. Substitute Doan shot from the edge of the box, but Kobel was in position to save. Dortmund had the chance to pick up a fourth in the closing stages, but Jadon Sancho fired straight at Atubolu. Vincenzo Grifo gave a brief summary of the game: “You have to be very efficient in Dortmund, which we didn’t manage.” His coach explained added, “The first half was ok, but Dortmund were then also simply too good for us. We didn’t play at our best. There were phases where it wasn’t so bad. In the end, though, we went without any chances. We also often found ourselves in dangerous situations, but the final pass was often missing.”

Photo: Marco Steinbrenner