Malen magic delivers victory for Dortmund

With an injury stricken squad, Nuri Sahin’s BVB took on Sturm Graz on the fourth matchday of the Champions League. The class difference eventually told as Donyell Malen bagged a late goal to secure a 1-0 win.

Dortmund enjoyed large swathes of possession with it’s fair share of chances despite what would ultimately end as a scoreless first-half. The initial opportunity was created by Pascal Groß who teed up Sabitzer to fire wide from close range. The Austrian midfielder would be first to test Kjell Scherpen with the next significant attack, however the Dutch shot-stopper did well to parry and smother Beier’s follow-up. 

Alexander Meyer produced an acrobatic save to deny Sturm Graz captain Kiteishvili from 20 yards. After a temporary change of momentum, Dortmund regained control with Guirassy fizzing wide by a mere matter of inches as the Mali international rattled the side-netting. BVB ought to have entered the dressing rooms ahead had it not been for Kiteishvili’s crucial intervention. Maxi Beier skipped past tackle after tackle and fired low, but the Georgian cleared off the goal-line.

Christian Ilzer made a solitary alteration after the break with Bayern Munich loanee Lovro Zvonarek replacing Seedy Jatta. With the visitors sitting deep, Nico Schlotterbeck unfurled a rasping strike which stung the gloves of Scherpen. Further brave defending from Belgian centre-half Lavalee kept Guirassy and Sabitzer at bay. Still inseparable after two thirds of the game, Sahin made an attacking change with Sabitzer withdrawn for Donyell Malen.

With a a drop of tiredness seeping in to BVB legs, Gazibegovic found space on the right to cross for Mika Biereth who headed wide. Cole Campbell also got a late run out amid the injury crisis, however the aforementioned substitute Malen would be the hero on the night. The Dutchman pressed Aiwu into a mistake, played a swift one-two with Guirassy, and blasted past Scherpen from an acute angle.