Guirassy guides Dortmund to first-leg triumph over Atalanta

Serhou Guirassy scored and provided an assist as Borussia Dortmund defeated Atalanta 2-0 in the first-leg of their knockout phase play-off tie.

Borussia Dortmund took a big step towards reaching the last 16 of the Champions League after their 2-0 first-leg win over knockout stage play-off opponents Atalanta Bergamo tonight. Serhou Guirassy played a key role in securing the win with a goal and assist.

Dortmund required exactly three minutes to unlock their Italian visitors as Julian Ryerson and Serhou Guirassy emulated last weekend’s heroics against Mainz. The full-back put his cross on a plate for his striker to head home in the box. 

Atalanta eventually settled but struggled to break down BVB despite their injury troubles. With Guirassy looking back to his best, his neat flick to Maxi Beier enabling a shot from a tight angle which fizzed wide of Marco Carnesecchi’s goal. 

Rafaelle Palladino’s side could have equalised on 21 minutes had Mario Pasalic got a touch to Zalewski’s dangerous cross. The left-sided Polish attacker was undoubtedly the biggest threat posed to the BVB rearguard in the opening half.

Waldemar Anton was briefly left regretting a headed chance before the break, but to his relief they would go 2-0 to the good. Nmecha played a fine ball down the line for Guirassy who squared for Beier to convert at the back post.

With both Djimsiti and Scamacca booked in the first-half, Palladino replaced the duo with Isak Hien and Nikola Krstovic. Aside from a speculative snapshot from the latter, Kovač’s men continued to dominate up to the hour mark. 

Set-piece havoc was on Dortmund’s menu once again as Julian Brandt fired over the bar after Carnesecchi half cleared his lines. It wasn’t long before both Karim Adeyemi and Carney Chukwuemeka were both introduced with 20 minutes left.

Atalanta showed a bit more life in the final exchanges as substitutes like Raoul Bellanova injected some life into their play. Aside from a late Lazar Samardzic drive which Kobel saved, BVB ensured a vital first-leg win to take to Bergamo next week.