Dortmund bailed out by Bynoe-Gittens brilliance in Brugge

After last season’s run to the final in Wembley, Borussia Dortmund return to UEFA Champions League action with a short trip to Belgian side Club Brugge for Matchday 1.

Nuri Şahin got his first taste of Champions League success as a manager tonight when his Borussia Dortmund defeated Club Brugge on a 3-0 scoreline. As was the case on their Bundesliga opener, a brace from super-sub Jamie Gittens and a Serhou Guirassy penalty provided the difference on the night

Although BVB went close inside the opening minutes with Malen whistling wide of the target, Brugge had the better of the early chances. A crowed penalty box watched on as Kobel repelled Onyedika, while Vetlesen was denied by the underside of the crossbar. Finally, Andreas Skov Olsen tested Die Schwarzgelben’s Swiss shot-stopper from an acute angle on what was a mixed bag from Dortmund in a scoreless first-half.

Chances continued to rain in at either end as Sabitzer and Vanaken failed to get their respective radars working from snap shots. Approaching the hour mark, Malen and Bensebaini made way for the imposing figures of Guirassy alongside Anton. Kobel remained all that stood between Brugge and the lead minutes later – Vetlesen’s low drive finger-tipped around the post. 

Entering the final embers of the affair Dortmund broke the deadlock. None other than Jamie Gittens cutting in from his favoured left flank to steer home with the aid of a nasty double deflection. Simon Mignolet left rooted to the goal-line as Ordóñez knew little about the ricochet off his hip. As the final whistle neared, Gittens the ‘joker’ struck again – an almost rinse and repeat effort from the left. A late penalty at the death allowed Guirassy to get off the mark which sweetened the deal as BVB ran out 3-0 winners.