Without Erling Haaland, who is still not ready for action, but with Giovanni Reyna on the bench, BVB entered the play-offs. Coach Marco Rose sent exactly the eleven on the pitch that also won 3-0 at Union Berlin.
At Rangers, coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst relied on the best possible eleven. However, the Dutchman had to do without the central defender and ex-Mainzer Leon Balogun (injured). The two well-known winter signings Aaron Ramsey (Juventus Turin) and Amad Diallo (Manchester United) were only on the bench.
The black and yellow struggled once morest the strong tackle guests from Scotland in the early minutes. The deep passes were quickly intercepted. Suddenly, the outsider had a great chance to make it 1-0, but Gregor Kobel saved with a foot once morest left-back Boma Barisic, who had broken through.
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The Rangers were more consistent and aggressive in their actions, quickly got everyone behind the ball when they lost the ball, and BVB didn’t see much attacking for a long time. So it was a standard situation that led to Dortmund’s first chance: Dan-Axel Zagadou got a free header from five yards out, but didn’t put it in the box (15′).
BVB’s game didn’t really get any better. Many shortcomings, no pace in the actions and no ideas made it extremely easy for the guests from Scotland. The first whistles from the 10,000 spectators sounded early. The only danger came from Marco Reus (27th/33rd), but Dortmund’s captain also had little access to the game.
Offensively harmless, defensively with gross mistakes – and suddenly it was 0:2: After a handball by Zagadou in the penalty area, referee Clement Turpin – according to the pictures – awarded a penalty. James Tavernier turned ice-cold to 0: 1 (38th), Alfredo Morelos increased a little later to 0: 2 (41st). BVB got themselves into trouble due to individual mistakes.
With Reyna and Youssoufa Moukoko (for Brandt and Witsel), BVB started to catch up in the second round. But once more Dortmund’s weak defense provided another goal, John Lundstram scored to 0:3 (49th). BVB had their backs to the wall, but Jude Bellingham rekindled some hope with his 1:3 (51st minute).
This hope was dashed a short time later and the Dortmund defenders were right in the middle of it once more. Morelos came freely to the ball on the left half, the Colombian’s cross pushed Zagadou over his own line to make it 1:4 (53 ‘). In less than two minutes, the glimmer of hope was gone.
In the period that followed, Dortmund showed morale, was much more present in midfield, but too often wanted to put their head through the wall. The Scots looked much more dangerous with their few counterattacks and were closer to the fifth goal.
You mightn’t accuse this Dortmund eleven of a lack of will, commitment and passion, but the great chances didn’t materialize. So it was Guerreiro, who was able to reduce the deficit to 2:4 with a long-range shot (82nd). The football miracle did not happen, however, and Rangers won for the first time since 1998 on German soil.
BVB already has the chance to make amends next week in the second leg, then black and yellow need a medium football miracle. The Bundesliga continues on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) with the home game once morest Gladbach.
It was noticeable: This Dortmund defense does not meet higher standards
The Dortmund mentality has been talked regarding often enough. Given this appearance, the answer is obvious. In the second round, BVB at least showed morale and rebelled once morest the embarrassment. But this defense simply does not meet higher standards, as this game in the Europa League clearly showed. Zagadou was directly involved in two goals conceded with a hand ball and an own goal, Akanji and Hummels allowed far too much – such as at 1: 3. Only Raphael Guerreiro was seen attacking and involved in both goals. Anyone who regularly makes such hair-raising mistakes as Dortmund does has no say when it comes to awarding trophies.
Tweet regarding the game
One of the few highlights on the part of BVB. 10,000 spectators celebrated the 1,000th game in Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park. This large number is spread over a total of 13 competitions. However, the Dortmund team did a lot to ensure that the anniversary game will remain in sad memory.
The number for the game: 132
This Europa League game is difficult to understand, the differences were too great. A look at the market value of both teams should make it clear how vastly BVB is actually superior. Glasgow Rangers’ market value is 132 million. For comparison: Erling Haaland alone is worth 150 million euros. The Bundesliga club has a total value of 576.30 million euros. But the Scots undid any difference on this bitter evening for BVB.
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