Double bar happiness
BVB defeats Saudi club Newcastle in rain battle
October 25, 2023, 10:56 p.m
Borussia Dortmund played a very strong first half at Newcastle United, but had to tremble after the break. Nevertheless, it was enough for the first success of this Champions League season: thanks to a lot of fight, goalscorer Nmecha and keeper Kobel. RB Leipzig scores a must-win against Red Star Belgrade.
Newcastle United – Borussia Dortmund 0:1 (0:1)
Borussia Dortmund have finally shown international class in the constant English rain and, after passing their school-leaving exams, have greatly improved their chances of reaching the round of 16 in the Champions League. Coach Edin Terzić’s brave team won 1-0 (1-0) at Newcastle United and is back in the strong Group F at half-time.
“We played a good game away from home. We are very happy about the three points. We were in a bad situation, but it doesn’t get any easier,” said goalkeeper Gregor Kobel at DAZN. Felix Nmecha (45th) scored Dortmund’s first win and first goal in the premier class this season against the sixth-place team in the Premier League, which effectively belongs to the state of Saudi Arabia. The next step towards the knockout phase should take place in the second leg against Newcastle on November 7th.
Terzic had to cope with some bad news before kick-off in atmospheric St. James’ Park. The in-form national player Julian Brandt was ruled out due to calf problems, but Marcel Sabitzer moved into the starting line-up. Marius Wolf also replaced Julian Ryerson, who was ill. Nevertheless, after a long day in the surrounding pubs and a loud fan march to the stadium at the highest point in the city, the BVB supporters who traveled with them were just as confident as Sebastian Kehl. “We know it will be an intense game. But we want to take at least one point and then win the home game,” said the sports director immediately before the game started.
And the guests got off to a stormy start. Donyell Malen was denied by United goalkeeper Nick Pope after 68 seconds. In return, BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was immediately challenged against Anthony Gordon. In contrast to the fearsome football in the opening defeat in Paris (0-2), the German runner-up appeared alert and active in an intense initial phase. BVB kept pressing. After a strong ball win by captain Emre Can, Malen and Niclas Füllkrug shot from the best position but shot too centrally to Pope (10th).
However, the guests remained vulnerable to counterattacks. Kobel again prevented Gordon from falling behind (11th), shortly afterwards former Dortmund player Alexander Isak had to go down injured. The goalscorer only made a brief comeback last weekend after his knee problems; his nomination for the starting eleven was surprising and obviously came too early.
But BVB also had to cope with a personnel setback. Shortly before half-time, Can limped off the pitch supported by two supervisors, he kept shaking his head after being hit on the thigh and was replaced by Salih Özcan. Unimpressed by this, the Black and Yellows struck in the first half. Central defender Nico Schlotterbeck stopped Gordon, moved forward into the game and, with a good overview, served Nmecha, who overcame the strong Pope.
BVB did not initially retreat after the break. The first shot belonged to Marco Reus (52nd). But then Kobel was called upon. The Swiss national goalkeeper prevented Isak’s replacement Callum Wilson from equalizing (57′). Füllkrug had previously lost the ball. Newcastle now gained new courage and brought in the Italian international Sandro Tonali despite the allegations of illegal betting. The BVB defense around the confident veteran Mats Hummels and the attentive Schlotterbeck was now significantly more challenged in the increasingly heavy rain – and was doubly lucky: first Wilson’s header hit the crossbar (86th), then Gordon’s shot ( 95.).
RB Leipzig – Red Star Belgrade 3:1 (1:0)
RB Leipzig is still on course and has taken an important step in the fight for the round of 16. Coach Marco Rose’s team won the groundbreaking game against Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade 3-1 (1-0) and pushed the door wide open to the knockout round.
David Raum (13th) with his first premier class goal, Xavi Simons (59th) with a dream goal and Dani Olmo (84th) ensured the second win for the Saxons in the constant rain in Leipzig, who so far have only beaten defending champions Manchester in Group G City lost out (1:3). As second behind the English champions with six points, the DFB Cup winners have the best chance of making it to the round of 16. Marko Stamenic scored for Belgrade (70th), but progress is a long way off with just one point in their account.
Leipzig pushed forward from the start and largely had the game under control in front of the 42,209 spectators in the Red Bull Arena. Only In-Beom Hwang (3rd) tried from a distance in the opening phase, but put the ball past the goal to the left. RB repeatedly pushed the Serbs deep into their own half, but there were initially no dangerous shots. But the hosts continued to attack, Xavi Simons created space and scored to give Leipzig a deserved lead. A little later, Yussuf Poulsen and Castello Lukeba forced Belgrade’s keeper Omri Glazer to make two strong saves (17th). There was little to see offensively from the Serbs, who were repeatedly cheered on loudly by the supporters who had traveled with them.
During one of the rare advances towards the Leipzig goal, Lukeba brought down Peter Olayinka in the penalty area while trying to clear the ball. According to the video images, referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez reversed his decision to award a penalty kick. The guests continued to wait for counterattacks, but did not use them efficiently. Belgrade came out of the locker room with more speed and became more dangerous. However, Leipzig gradually found its way back into the game. Simons made a remarkable shot from around 17 meters and hit the top right corner. RB then continued to look for a way forward, but Belgrade didn’t let up either and Stamenic managed to catch up. Only Olmo made everything clear.