Borussia Dortmund delivered a statement performance in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), ending their six-match losing streak in away fixtures with a dominant 3-0 victory over GNK Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatians, a surprise package in this season’s competition, succumbed to their eighth consecutive defeat against German opposition.
Dortmund’s win couldn’t have come at a better time, providing the perfect morale boost ahead of their Bundesliga showdown with Bayern Munich this weekend.
A Fired-Up Start by Dortmund
The German giants arrived in Croatia with a mission to end their away woes, and they wasted no time asserting their dominance. Dortmund’s last away win came on matchday one against Club Brugge, and they were eager to make amends. Waldemar Anton set the tone early with a teasing cross that found Ramy Bensebaini, whose header rattled the crossbar in the seventh minute.
However, Dinamo showed resilience. Their best half chance came from Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel, whose surging run from full-back nearly delivered a spectacular opener, only for his long-range shot to sail just over the bar.
Gittens Shines as Dortmund Seize the Lead
Despite Dinamo’s resistance, Dortmund’s relentless attacks eventually bore fruit. The dynamic duo of Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens caused havoc down the flanks, combining to create several close chances.
The breakthrough came in the dying moments of the first half when Gittens showcased his brilliance. Cutting in from the left, he unleashed a thunderous shot into the bottom corner to score his fourth UCL goal. Dortmund entered halftime with a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
Bensebaini and Guirassy Seal the Deal
Dortmund’s rhythm briefly faltered after the halftime withdrawal of Julian Brandt. A tactical reshuffle saw Pascal Groß move back into midfield, strengthening their grip on the game. Groß’s precise corner in the 55th minute found Bensebaini, whose glancing header doubled Dortmund’s advantage.
Dinamo’s defense struggled to cope with Dortmund’s fluidity, and only a sensational save from Daniel Zagorac denied Malen a third. Meanwhile, the home side offered little going forward, leaving Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel largely untroubled.
Serhou Guirassy, returning from injury, sealed the win in the final moments. The substitute’s clinical finish rounded off a comprehensive performance, giving Dortmund a much-needed confidence boost.
Dinamo’s Struggles Continue
This defeat extends Dinamo Zagreb’s worrying run of form. Having won just one of their last six matches across all competitions, their focus might be shifting to domestic matters, including their high-stakes clash with Hajduk Split. Their dream of three successive UCL victories still needs to be fulfilled.
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A Perfect Warm-Up for Der Klassiker
With this emphatic win, Dortmund looks poised for their next big test – Der Klassiker against Bayern Munich. The victory ends their away struggles and sets the stage for a thrilling encounter against their arch-rivals. Dortmund might be ready to pull off a surprise in Munich if their performance in Zagreb is anything to go by.
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