BVB delights grandstand guest Haller: victory against Copenhagen

Created: 06/09/2022, 21:07

Visitors follow the game on a stand for BVB fans, with former player Kevin Großkreutz (M) sitting in the front.

© Bernd Thissen/dpa

Borussia Dortmund manages to start the premier class with the targeted victory against FC Copenhagen.

With the deserved success, Sébastien Haller sees a strong BVB captain Marco Reus in the stands.

There is also bad news from the staff.

Dortmund – In the stands, Sébastien Haller was happy about the successful start to the Champions League, while the players from Borussia Dortmund were celebrating from the south stand on the pitch.

Thanks to the 3-0 (2-0) win against outsiders FC Copenhagen, BVB created a cushion for the forthcoming away games at Manchester City and FC Sevilla.

"First and foremost, I'm happy that we won this must-win game," said captain Marco Reus on Amazon Prime Video.

"But we also know that we have to improve against City next week because there is a different quality on the pitch."

Against the impressive backdrop of 70,700 spectators in Signal Iduna Park, where standing room was allowed again for the first time since 1998, the strong Reus (35th), Raphaël Guerreiro (42nd) and Jude Bellingham (83rd) ensured the deserved success.

Newcomer Haller, who was sitting in the stands after his tumor operation and who was received with ovations by the fans, was also happy about this.

"When we walked in before the game, you saw him on the screen and I got goosebumps," said Reus.

Despite growing concerns about injuries, Dortmund controlled the game on Tuesday.

Early in the season, BVB has to replace five offensive players because Thorgan Hazard also had to go out with a thigh problem (23rd) against the Danes.

Even first-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is initially out due to a torn muscle fiber, but his substitute Alexander Meyer was only really challenged once in his premier class debut.

"I think we put in a great performance.

That was a great start to our Champions League season," said coach Edin Terzic.

At first, Borussia struggled against the deep guests.

Copenhagen often forced the Bundesliga runners-up to move to the flanks, but BVB did not become dangerous from there.

Instead, a combination through the center provided the lead.

National player Niklas Süle, for whom Mats Hummels had to be on the bench, started the attack of the hosts and found Julian Brandt.

As in the 1-0 win against Hoffenheim last Friday, Brandt made a brilliant pass to Reus, who completed the shot from close range.

And BVB didn't let up.

But on the contrary.

Thanks to an aggressive tackle, Guerreiro got the ball just before Copenhagen's penalty area and passed it on to Giovanni Reyna - the 19-year-old in turn put it back on the Portuguese, who only had to push in.

"First we have to show that what happened last year in all cup competitions bothered us," Terzic said before the kick-off on Amazon Prime Video.

He actually showed that BVB does not want to be eliminated again in the group phase of the premier class.

It only got tricky twice: In the first minute, a shot from the guests grazed the outside of the post, shortly after the half-time break goalkeeper Meyer then fended off Lukas Lerager in dire need.

If Dortmund could blame themselves for something, it was only the poor exploitation of chances.

BVB didn't let up in the second round either and created numerous good opportunities - but only took advantage of one.

After another mistake by the Danes in the build-up, Dortmund switched quickly and combined into the penalty area.

There Reyna crossed again - and this time found Bellingham, who made the final score.

dpa