Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 victory over Atalanta Bergamo in the Champions League playoff first leg, gaining a strong position for the return match. Serhou Guirassy scored the early opener and set up the second goal. The match started late due to traffic chaos caused by a nearby concert.
The match at Signal Iduna Park, attended by 76,900 spectators, started 15 minutes late as the Dortmund team bus was delayed by traffic chaos around the Westfalenhalle. This was caused by a concert by Herbert Grönemeyer. BVB executive Lars Ricken said before kickoff on Amazon Prime: "The team took 1 hour 10 minutes. Some had anger in their bellies. Maybe that helps us in the game."
After just 125 seconds, Serhou Guirassy headed in the 1-0 lead from a Julian Ryerson cross. Guirassy, who has scored six goals in his last four competitive matches, then showed an emotional gesture: Under his jersey, he wore a shirt with the French inscription "May he welcome her in his great paradise." He explained afterward that it was for his brother, whose niece had passed away: "We all stand by him."
Just before halftime, Guirassy initiated a counter after a long ball from Felix Nmecha and precisely passed to Maximilian Beier, who made it 2-0 (42nd minute). Coach Niko Kovač had to improvise in defense: Due to injuries to Nico Schlotterbeck (muscular), Niklas Süle (thigh), Emre Can, and Filippo Mane, 18-year-old Luca Reggiani made his starting debut alongside Waldemar Anton and Ramy Bensebaini. Reggiani received a yellow card but played solidly.
In the second half, Dortmund controlled the game without adding more goals. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was not seriously tested in the first half. Captain Julian Brandt commented: "I would have liked a third goal. A 2-0 is still good, but always dangerous with an away game ahead." Guirassy emphasized: "That was a perfect start."
Ryerson provided strong support with his sixth assist in the last three games. If they advance, the BVB faces Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the round of 16. The return leg is next Wednesday in Bergamo.
