For 85 minutes, SK Sturm Graz was able to dream of winning their first points of this Champions League season in a 0-1 (0-0) away draw against Borussia Dortmund. And at least because of their fighting performance it would have been a deserved point for Graz, who had made things really difficult for Dortmund in the second half.
In the end, it was just a few centimeters that made the difference in Dortmund’s winning goal. It was a bitter mistake by Aiwu in Graz’s build-up play, and Dortmund switched quickly. Malen’s shot from twelve meters went into the far corner. However, Dortmund had to wait a long time because assist Guriassy supposedly started from an offside position. It wasn’t visible to the naked eye – on the computer you could see that it was just a few centimeters.
Image: GEPA pictures/ Chris Bauer
“}”>
Image: GEPA pictures/ Chris Bauer
Nevertheless, it was a very special experience. You could hear them loudly again and again – the 6,000 Graz fans who accompanied the team in the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, which was sold out with 81,000 spectators. There were 13:2 shots on goal before the break, although Sturm Graz came into the game better after Dortmund’s attack in the first quarter of an hour. Coach Christian Ilzer was courageous and offensive. The Graz team had two chances before the break through Kiteischwili (16th) and Gazibegovic (31st).
After the break, Dortmund took command again. After Brandt missed from close range (64th) and Marcel Sabitzer was substituted a little later, more and more pressure and structure were lost in the Dortmund game. Graz had the best chance when Biereth put the ball just over the goal at five after a wonderful Gazibegovic cross (75′). The Graz team were really close to the sensation, the Dortmund team seemed to be unable to find a solution before Malen finally scored to win.
**Interview with Football Analyst, Alex Hartman**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Alex. Let’s dive right into the recent match between Borussia Dortmund and Sturm Graz. It ended in a 1-0 victory for Dortmund thanks to a late goal by Donyell Malen. What were your thoughts on Sturm Graz’s performance?
**Alex Hartman:** Thanks for having me! I think Sturm Graz really put up an admirable fight out there. For 85 minutes, they held their ground and looked solid defensively. They created some challenges for Dortmund, particularly in the second half, and it definitely seemed like a point would be a fair reward for their efforts.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely, it was a tight match. The winning goal came after a mistake in the build-up play from Graz. How crucial do you think that moment was?
**Alex Hartman:** That moment was pivotal. It showcased how quickly the game can change in football. Aiwu’s mistake was unfortunate, as he misread the situation, allowing Dortmund to capitalize on that defensive blunder. Malen’s goal was a well-placed shot, but you could see that Graz’s defensive organization had been strong until that point. It’s a tough lesson for them—sometimes, just a few centimeters can determine the outcome of a match.
**Interviewer:** The controversial offside situation must have been frustrating for Graz fans, too. What did you make of the decision?
**Alex Hartman:** It was indeed a tight call. In modern football, we often see margins that small being reviewed. The fact that it was apparently just a few centimeters makes it even more heartbreaking for Sturm Graz. Fans might argue about the fairness of VAR decisions, but it shows the importance of precision in the sport today. It’s crucial for teams to stay alert in those moments.
**Interviewer:** what does this result mean for both teams moving forward?
**Alex Hartman:** For Dortmund, this win is essential as it keeps them competitive in the Champions League standings. They showed resilience, which is vital in knockout competitions. For Sturm Graz, while it’s disappointing to not take any points away, they can take some positives from their performance. They need to learn from this experience and focus on improving their executions in vital moments if they want to be more competitive in future matches.
**Interviewer:** Great insights as always, Alex! Thank you for sharing your analysis with us today.
**Alex Hartman:** My pleasure! Happy to discuss the beautiful game anytime.
