Dortmund relieved with Champions League victory at Club Brugge
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Jamie Gittens of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring his second goal against Club Brugge.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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BRUGES – Borussia Dortmund rode their luck in a 3-0 Champions League win at Belgian side Club Brugge on Sept 18, when all their goals came in the final 14 minutes after the hosts had missed several chances.
Brugge were the better side for much of the contest but Jamie Bynoe-Gittens’ brace and a penalty from Serhou Guirassy sealed victory for the visitors and left the home side frustrated.
“It wasn’t a top performance but we took the win,” Dortmund captain Emre Can admitted as his coach Nuri Sahin hailed his side’s resilience.
“It was important to start with an away win against a tough opponent. It was a good, attacking match from both teams. In the end, with the changes we had, I think we deserved to win,” Sahin said.
Midfielder Julian Brandt praised substitutes Bynoe-Gittens and Guirassy for their impact off the bench which turned the contest in Dortmund’s favour.
“It was tough in the first half. We ran a lot,” he told DAZN. “It was a lot of work and a lot of attrition. At the end you could see that the spaces were getting bigger.
“It’s a good thing that the bench scores the goals. Once again the substitutes decided the game.”
Last season’s beaten finalists rode their luck but grabbed the lead when English winger Bynoe-Gittens picked up the ball on the left side of the box and his angled shot took two deflections before ending up in the far corner of the net.
The 20-year-old made sure of the three points with a second goal when he ran at the Brugge defence again before creating the space to shoot, firing a low drive into the net for a superb solo strike.
Guirassy then confidently struck his spot kick to add gloss to a scoreline that did not tell the full tale of the contest.
Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet rued his side’s profligacy in front of goal when the score was level at 0-0.
“That’s the Champions League,” he said. “Our performance was very good. If we score the first ourselves, the scenario is ideal. But they did that and then you get an exaggerated scoreline.
“The difference is the squad depth of Dortmund. What they have on the bench... after a gruelling match, it is not easy against someone (like Bynoe-Gittens) who comes fresh from the bench.”
REUTERS
