Dortmund cruise to victory over Dinamo in the Croatian capital

Nuri Şahin’s side returned to UEFA Champions League action facing a daunting trip to Dinamo Zagreb. BVB ran out 3-0 winners to take all three points on offer back to the Rührpott.

Borussia Dortmund made it a fourth win in five Champions League outings this evening as their travels took them to the Croatian capital. Hoping to spring an ambush on the Bundesliga side was a Dinamo Zagreb side under the tutelage of former FC Union Berlin head coach Nenad Bjelica. Ultimately, Die Schwarzgelben showed their class and superiority as goals from Jamie Gittens, Ramy Bensebaini and Serhou Guirassy sealed a 3-0 win.

The opening half passed by at a blistering rate as Dortmund took the game to their hosts. Ramy Bensebaini, who has rediscovered some form of late, was particularly unlucky in the 8th-minute as his header rebounded to safety off the crossbar. At the other end, Ronael Pierre-Gabriel blazed over with Zagreb’s first attempt. Just as Zagorac produced a fine save to deny Malen, some Jamie Gittens magic arrived. The Englishman jinked inside Dinamo defenders and curled inside the left post from 18-yards.

Having pulled up just before the break, Julian Brandt was withdrawn for Julian Ryerson in the second-half as Groß moved into midfield. After a scrappy period of play, Nico Schlotterbeck’s volley tested Zagorac. The resulting corner ultimately yielded a second goal for BVB as a Pascal Groß corner was met by a firm Bensebaini header. Şahin followed that with a triple alteration as Guirassy, Duranville and Reyna provided the cavalry.

Dinamo enjoyed a spell of control as the game ebbed towards is conclusion. Still, however, Dortmund looked more threatening in attack as Malen and Duranville sought the killer pass but Kevin Theophile-Catherine remained solid in defence. Dario Spikić’s half-blocked effort aside, it was a comfortably quiet night for Gregor Kobel. Serhou Guirassy added further icing on the cake late on as the Malian converted from Schlotterbeck’s pinpoint pass with Zagorac in no man’s land.