Serhou Guirassy scored one and assisted another as Borussia Dortmund eased past Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at home on Wednesday, securing their first Champions League victory of the season.
Karim Adeyemi set up Daniel Svensson for the opener just before the half-hour mark, before summer signing Carney Chukwuemeka doubled the lead early in the second half with his first goal since joining from Chelsea.
Following a chaotic 4-4 draw with Juventus in their European opener, Dortmund had promised greater control — but nearly let Bilbao back into the game. A defensive lapse allowed Gorka Guruzeta to pull one back for the visitors on the hour mark.
The goal rattled Dortmund, who briefly looked vulnerable. But Guirassy restored their two-goal cushion in the 81st minute, redirecting a shot from Marcel Sabitzer into the net to make it 3-1.
Julian Brandt then sealed the win in stoppage time with a composed finish after a slick team move.
“We made things a bit more exciting than we needed to,” Brandt admitted post-match. “But we scored a couple more goals and can go home happy.”
Making only their third-ever appearance in the Champions League — and first since 2014–15 — Bilbao sorely missed the creative spark of injured winger Nico Williams. The loss marked their fifth in six matches without the Spain international, during which they’ve managed just two goals.
Despite being unbeaten domestically, coach Niko Kovac rotated his squad as promised, aiming to give bench players more minutes. Jobe Bellingham made his first start since August, while Chukwuemeka earned his full debut.
Dortmund’s play was disjointed early, with Bellingham in particular struggling to find his rhythm. Still, Kovac saw positives.
“He did well. He was agile, he pressed, and helped limit their build-up,” said the coach. “He’s only 20. There’s plenty of room for improvement.”
Adeyemi sparked Dortmund into life with a blistering run down the right and a pinpoint assist for Svensson’s tap-in. Moments later, Niklas Süle — making his first appearance of the season — ignored an open Guirassy to take on a speculative long shot, highlighting the home side’s shaky decision-making.
Chukwuemeka made it 2-0 just five minutes into the second half, firing in at the near post after a well-weighted pass from Guirassy.
However, Dortmund allowed Bilbao back into the contest when Süle failed to clear a routine ball in the box, gifting Guruzeta a simple finish. The visitors nearly equalised with several half-chances and a goal chalked off for offside.
But Guirassy — now with six goals in seven games — settled Dortmund’s nerves, before Brandt added the finishing touch late on.
AFP
