BVB make flying Champions League start: 3-2 thriller v Villarreal | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund kicked off their Champions League campaign with a win. BVB beat Villarreal CF 3-2 (0-0) after a goalless first half. Veiga gave the Black and Yellows the lead with an own goal in the 53rd minute, before Mouriño equalized (67'). Guirassy then made it 3-1 with a quickfire brace (80', 85', penalty) for 3-1. In stoppage time, the Spaniards pulled one back through a Guirassy own goal (90+3') to make it 3-2.

BVB coach Kovac made two changes after the 3-2 win at TSG Hoffenheim. Veerman and Sabitzer came into the starting lineup for Mane (muscle injury) and Bellingham (bench). Svensson moved into central defense, while Beier took up the attacking role on the left wing. Guirassy made his 100th appearance for Borussia against Villarreal.

In goal for Villarreal was the well-known former Bundesliga keeper Gulacsi (previously of RB Leipzig).

There was high intensity on the pitch from the start. Both teams wasted no time and moved quickly through midfield. After nine minutes, BVB had the first good chance of the game. Beier burst forward down the left and looked for Guirassy in the middle. The striker slid in to meet the cross but narrowly missed the ball with the tip of his boot, as the pass had a little too much pace on it.

But Villarreal had the huge chance to take the lead after 15 minutes. Following a cross from the right, Mikautadze was actually in the perfect position. But because Gadou rose in front of him, the Georgian only saw the ball very late and reacted in surprise. The ball bounced off him uncontrollably and was therefore easy pickings for Kobel. Even so, both teams were still reluctant to take major risks.

A shock after just over 20 minutes: Karetsas suddenly went down on the turf. Medics and an emergency doctor rushed over. The young Greek had to be carried off due to circulation problems. Nwaneri replaced him in the 27th minute.

The pace dropped for the time being. After the furious start, the match lost some of its edge. Both teams shifted down a gear and placed more emphasis on controlling possession.

Towards the end of the first half, BVB turned up the pressure and pinned the visitors deep inside their own half. Guirassy had two efforts in stoppage time, but he could not find the net either.

Turbulent finish

Nwaneri in particular kept catching the eye. Having fired well wide straight after the restart, he hit the post in the 51st minute. BVB kept up the pressure – and took the lead with a bit of luck. Beier played the ball in from the left. Gulacsi deflected it onto Veiga, from whom the ball bounced over the line (53').

The Spaniards were barely rattled by conceding. After a brief spell of regrouping, the “Yellow Submarine” took the initiative and created chances. Substitute Pépé (62') and Santi (65') both caused danger. Then the ball was in Dortmund’s net. After a corner, Mouriño won the aerial duel against Ryerson and powered the ball into the near corner for 1-1 (67'). A minute later, Buchanen tried his luck from distance, but Kobel was alert and tipped the shot over the bar.

BVB then responded again. The recently introduced Fábio Silva tested Gulacsi (76') and then, four minutes later, set up the 2-1 with a perfectly timed pass to Guirassy. Fábio Silva, who looked full of energy, was also the one who dragged the ball just wide of the right post (83').

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Two minutes later, the ball ended up in Villarreal’s net for a third time – this time thanks to a penalty converted by Guirassy. The Borussia center-forward had just been involved in a fierce tussle with Mouriño at a corner, with both players clearly holding each other – a fairly controversial decision.

The match seemed decided. But the Spaniards pulled one back to make it 3-2. Following a free-kick, Kobel punched the ball onto Guirassy, from whom it rolled over the line (90+3'). And then the visitors had a chance to equalize: Veiga let fly, but Gadou deflected the shot behind for a corner (90+5').

Conclusion: After a sluggish first half in which neither side could really find its rhythm, the game picked up after the break. Dortmund’s 1-0 lead acted like a wake-up call for Villarreal, who responded immediately and were rewarded with the equalizer. It was only the introduction of the lively Fábio Silva that put Borussia back on the road to victory. Guirassy all but sealed it with a brace. Despite the late own goal that set up a dramatic finish, BVB held on to their 3-2 lead and celebrated a successful start to the new Champions League season.

BVB: Kobel – Gadou, Anton, Svensson – Ryerson, Nmecha (76' Fábio Silva), Veerman, Beier (82' Kaua Prates) – Karetsas (27' Nwaneri, 82' Chukwuemeka), Sabitzer (75' Bellingham) – Guirassy

Villarreal: Gulacsi – Mouriño, Navarro (83' Gerard), Veiga, Cardona (46' Freeman) – Buchanan (75' Diatta), Gueye, Saliba (59' Pépé), Santi Comesaña – Oluwaseyi (60' Moleiro), Mikautadze

Goals: 1-0 Veiga (53', own goal), 1-1 Mouriño (67'), 2-1, 3-1 Guirassy (80', 85', penalty), 3-2 Guirassy (90+3', own goal)

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