Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, overcoming a determined Sabah FC side 2-1 in Baku, Azerbaijan, thanks to a clinical brace from Serhou Guirassy.
Dortmund dominated the opening stages and took an early lead, but Sabah fought back through Aden McCarthy before Guirassy struck again shortly after half-time to secure three valuable points for Niko Kovac’s side.
The victory was not entirely comfortable for the German visitors, who had to withstand several dangerous attacks after surrendering control during parts of the first half. However, Guirassy’s finishing ultimately proved decisive in a contest that tested Dortmund’s defensive organisation as much as their attacking quality.
Dortmund began aggressively, looking to impose themselves on the match from the opening whistle. Fabio Silva threatened early, while Guirassy also created opportunities as the visitors searched for a breakthrough.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 10th minute.
Guirassy opened the scoring after goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov failed to hold Felix Nmecha’s powerful effort from outside the penalty area. The rebound fell invitingly into the path of the Guinea international, who reacted quickly to finish from close range and give Dortmund a 1-0 advantage.
It was precisely the kind of opportunistic finishing Dortmund needed, with Guirassy demonstrating his awareness inside the penalty area to punish Sabah for failing to clear the danger.
The visitors continued to threaten, and Pokatilov produced an impressive double save to deny Joey Veerman and Carney Chukwuemeka following a free-kick, preventing Dortmund from extending their advantage.
Sabah gradually grew into the contest and thought they had equalised in the 30th minute when Joy-Lance Mickels finished after an impressive individual run by Kaheem Parris. However, the celebrations were cut short when the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside.
The reprieve did not last long for Dortmund.
In the 39th minute, Sabah finally drew level through McCarthy, who rose above the visiting defence to head home Tymoteusz Puchacz’s dangerous free-kick from close range.
The goal punished Dortmund’s defensive lapses and gave the Azerbaijani side renewed belief after their difficult opening.
Sabah nearly completed the turnaround before the interval, with Veljko Simic and Parris forcing important saves from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The Swiss international responded well under pressure, ensuring his team did not fall behind before half-time.
Dortmund returned for the second half with greater urgency and quickly reclaimed the lead.
In the 53rd minute, Guirassy completed his brace with an excellent finish from Veerman’s cross. The Dutch midfielder delivered a precise ball from the right, and Guirassy stretched out his left leg to volley it into the net, restoring Dortmund’s advantage at 2-1.
The goal underlined the striker’s importance to Kovac’s side. After scoring from a rebound in the first half, he demonstrated a different quality with his second finish, adjusting his body position to connect cleanly with a difficult delivery.
Dortmund now had the advantage they wanted, but the contest remained open as Sabah continued searching for another equaliser.
The visitors had opportunities to put the match beyond reach, yet their finishing let them down. Guirassy came close to completing his hat-trick after good work from Chukwuemeka, while Fabio Silva also missed an opportunity to increase Dortmund’s lead.
Sabah remained dangerous on the counterattack and nearly capitalised on a defensive mistake in the 75th minute. After Nico Schlotterbeck misplaced a pass, a chipped ball found substitute Orphé Mbina, who fired wide of the target.
The opportunity offered Sabah a possible route back into the contest, but Dortmund escaped without conceding.
Kovac responded by introducing fresh legs, with Jobe Bellingham, Marcel Sabitzer and Joane Gadou coming on in a triple substitution designed to help Dortmund manage the closing stages. Maximilian Beier was introduced shortly afterwards as the visitors sought to maintain their advantage.
Sabah continued to push forward, and Dortmund gradually surrendered possession as the pressure increased. Nevertheless, the German side defended more carefully in the final minutes and prevented the hosts from finding a second equaliser.
There was no further breakthrough, allowing Dortmund to secure a hard-earned 2-1 victory and end their recent run of disappointing results.
Guirassy was undoubtedly the decisive figure, scoring both goals and demonstrating his ability to influence a European contest through intelligent movement and clinical finishing. Veerman also played an important role, providing the cross that produced the winning goal, while Kobel’s saves before half-time proved crucial in keeping Dortmund level.
For Sabah, McCarthy’s header and the disallowed Mickels goal demonstrated their ability to trouble an established European side. However, their inability to convert further opportunities ultimately proved costly.
Dortmund leave Baku with three important points, but the performance also provides lessons for Kovac, particularly regarding his team’s defensive concentration after taking the lead.
Ultimately, Guirassy’s double made the difference, ensuring that Dortmund’s trip to Azerbaijan ended in victory rather than another frustrating European setback.
