A slow start, then a clear win: BVB beat Villarreal 4-0 | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is on course for the Champions League round of 16. Against FC Villarreal, BVB won 4-0 (1-0) thanks to a double from Guirassy (45.+2 minute, 54.), as well as goals from Adeyemi (58.) and Svensson (90.+5). Villarreal captain Foyth was sent off with a red card after a handball (53.).

Against Villarreal, BVB coach Kovač made five changes to his starting lineup compared to the 3-3 draw against VfB Stuttgart: Anselmino, Yan Couto, Svensson, Sabitzer, and Adeyemi started in place of Can, Ryerson, Bellingham, Chukwuemeka (all on the bench), and Beier (muscle tightness).

In the early stages, Dortmund kept the ball within their ranks. Villarreal sat deep and pressed the hosts at the halfway line.

After eleven minutes, the ball was in Kobel's net. However, Buchanan was clearly offside when he finished.

BVB struggled against the Spaniards' packed defense. It took the Black and Yellows 23 minutes to get their first shot on goal. Sabitzer took a chance from 25 meters, but Lúiz Júnior safely held the ball.

Dortmund took too much time with their attacks, allowing Villarreal to regroup repeatedly. Instead, it became dangerous in front of Kobel's goal. Partey laid off a free kick to Gueye, who shot unchallenged from a central position outside the penalty area. The shot flew just over the crossbar (31.).

Schlotterbeck made his presence felt when he tackled Oluwaseyi with a monster slide tackle to win the ball in the 36th minute.

Towards the end of the first half, BVB intensified their attacking efforts. Adeyemi was initially denied by Luiz Júnior (44.), but in injury time, Anselmino set up Guirassy. The header from close range found the net for a 1-0 lead (45.+2). The visitors protested for a handball by Anton in the build-up, but the goal stood for the halftime lead.

Guirassy misses – and scores

At the start of the second half, events unfolded rapidly, and the game was effectively decided.

Foyth blocked the ball on his own goal line with his hand. After reviewing the footage, the referee showed the visitors' captain the red card (53.). Guirassy took the penalty but only scored on the rebound.

Just four minutes later, Adeyemi made it 3-0. The BVB striker had a bit of luck as Partey had deflected the ball onto him.

Despite being a man down and trailing, Villarreal did not give up and had two good chances through Pépé (64.) and Rafa Marin (66.). But then it was Dortmund's turn again. After a foul on Adeyemi, the Bundesliga side was awarded a second penalty. Once again, the ball did not find the net – not even on the rebound. Fábio Silva smashed the ball vehemently against the crossbar (82.).

The final phase was uneventful for a long time until Svensson struck in injury time. A precisely timed cross from Groß was headed into the net by the full-back for the 4-0 final score (90.+5).

Conclusion: Dortmund had two-thirds possession but took too long in the first half to break down the visitors' well-organized defense. Villarreal repeatedly threatened on the counter. The opening goal almost inevitably came from a set piece. In the second 45 minutes, BVB was more purposeful. After Foyth's dismissal and the quick goals from Guirassy and Adeyemi, the match was decided.

BVB: Kobel – Anselmino, Anton (84. Can), Schlotterbeck – Yan Couto, Sabitzer (77. Bellingham), Nmecha (77, Groß), Svensson – Adeyemi, Brandt (68. Chukwuemeka) – Guirassy (68. Fábio Silva)

Villarreal: Luiz Júnior – Mouriño (83. Akhomach), Foyth, Renato Veiga, Cardona – Santi (74. Parejo), Gueye, Partey (65. Rafa Marin), Buchanan (83. Navarro) – Pépé (65. Moleiro), Oluwaseyi

Goals: 1-0, 2-0 Guirassy (45.+2, 54.), 3-0 Adeyemi (58.), 4-0 Svensson (90.+5)

Red card: – / Foyth (53.)

Special incidents: Guirassy misses penalty (54.), Fábio Silva misses penalty (82.)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.