Late drama: Dortmund edge past Köln with nervy finish | OneFootball

For a long time, Borussia Dortmund looked like the sure winner. After goals by Guirassy in the 16th minute and Beier (60th), BVB led 2-0 in Cologne. Simpson-Pusey had also seen the red card (45.+2). In the dramatic final phase, Kaminski reduced the score to 1-2 (88th).

In BVB's starting lineup, there were four changes after the 2-3 at Bayern Munich. The injured captain Can (cruciate ligament tear), Yan Couto, Adeyemi, and Fábio Silva (all bench) were replaced by Bensebaini, Ryerson, Brandt, and Guirassy.

Stormy start by Cologne. Johannesson after two minutes and Niang with a header in the fifth minute appeared dangerously in front of Kobel. After just a quarter of an hour, Effzeh already had six corners to their name.

Cologne made the game – and Dortmund scored the goal. Following a corner, Beier headed the ball back into the penalty area. Guirassy reacted the fastest and slid the ball over the line with the sole of his foot for 1-0 for BVB (16th).

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The visitors' lead changed little in the course of the game. With almost 60 percent possession, Cologne remained dominant. However, the team from the cathedral city did not create much danger.

Borussia brought calm to the match, let the opponent run, and waited for mistakes. After winning the ball, the Black and Yellows tried to play forward quickly. In the 35th minute, Guirassy passed to Beier. Van den Berg blocked at the last moment. Almost in return, El Mala had a shot but only hit the side netting.

When the Borussians appeared in the opponent's penalty area, they immediately caused unrest. A header clearance by Cologne was too short in their own penalty area. Guirassy took the ball directly, but his powerful shot was thwarted by the strongly reacting Schwäbe.

Shortly before the break, the Rhinelanders reduced their numbers themselves. After a rough challenge by Simpson-Pusey against Beier, referee Siebert initially showed yellow, but changed his decision to red after reviewing the footage (45.+2).

Commotion in Injury Time

With a man down, Cologne initially resorted to long balls. However, they did not cause Dortmund much trouble for a long time.

Effzeh did not give up. Lund tried from a distance but did not trouble Kobel (57th). The BVB goalkeeper had to stretch a bit more for Kaminski's shot from ten meters in the following minute, but he remained the winner here as well.

After an hour, the Black and Yellows struck coldly. After a one-two with Brandt, Beier shot from ten meters and increased the lead to 2-0.

Referee Siebert pointed to the penalty spot in the 67th minute after a supposed foul by Özkacar on Fábio Silva. However, the referee rightly withdrew the decision after reviewing the footage. The Cologne player first touched the ball, then his opponent.

In the final quarter-hour, the game seemed to lose its intensity. BVB, with a numerical advantage, stood securely and no longer played decisively for a third goal.

Then the strong Kaminski struck in the 88th minute and reduced the score to 1-2. Süle did not attack the Cologne player and allowed him to shoot. Anton slightly deflected the ball.

Cologne threw everything forward now. It got tricky in the fifth minute of injury time. Yan Couto got the ball on his hand in his own penalty area. The referee did not consider it enough for a penalty. Luck for BVB.

Özkacar fell after contact from Sabitzer a few meters from the goal. However, the decision was offside. Then Borussia's victory was secured.

Conclusion: Cologne started energetically, creating numerous corners. With the first dangerous attack, BVB took the lead. Subsequently, Dortmund focused on controlling the game, letting the hosts run. Even after the break, the Black and Yellows remained composed, dominating the match. In the final phase, the game took an unexpected turn, and Borussia found themselves in trouble again. After a handball by Yan Couto, Cologne could have been awarded a penalty.

BVB: Kobel – Anton, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini (82. Süle) – Ryerson (61. Yan Couto), Sabitzer, Nmecha (90.+1 Bellingham), Svensson – Brandt, Beier (82. Adeyemi) – Guirassy (61. Fábio Silva)

Cologne: Schwäbe – van den Berg, Martel, Simpson-Pusey – Kaminski, Johannesson (46. Özkacar), Krauß (86. Heintz), Lund – Niang (75. Maina), El Mala (86. Neumann) – Ache (86. Bülter)

Goals: 0:1 Guirassy (16th), 0:2 Beier (60th), 1:2 Kaminski (88th)

Red Card: Simpson-Pusey (45.+2) / –

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