Guirassy Secures Late victory for Dortmund Against Resilient Essen
Table of Contents
The 19,962 spectators in the sold-out stadium on Hafenstrasse created an electric atmosphere long before kick-off and showed thier class during the minute’s silence for the late idol of both clubs, Frank Mill. When the match started, BVB did everything you have to do in a cup game against a lower-ranked opponent, but then lost their patience and their rythm after about 25 minutes. This led to a heated battle in which the underdogs had their fair share of chances. It was not until the 79th minute that Serhou Guirassy scored the opening and ultimately winning goal.
The scenario:
Since 1963, there had been eight Bundesliga and two cup encounters between the two clubs – Borussia Dortmund won seven of these ten games, with three draws. Essen’s last victory against the Black & Yellows came almost 53 years ago, in November 1972, when both clubs were in the Regionalliga.
Personnel matters: Borussia had to do without Julian ryerson (calf injury), Emre Can (adductor problems), Julien Duranville (shoulder), Nico Schlotterbeck (rehab after a torn meniscus) and Niklas Süle (calf muscle injury). Filippo Mane, 20, made his first-team debut on the right side of the back three.
Tactics: In a 3-3-2-2 formation with sabitzer in defensive midfield, Gross and Nmecha were given freedom to roam, rotating frequently with the wide players Couto and Svensson to create space in the center, which RWE struggled to close down. Essen, playing with a back five, tried to attack down the left flank thru Brumme after claiming possession.
The match & analysis: Borussia hardly let essen touch the ball in the early stages. Sabitzer had his first shot on goal after just 32 seconds, and keeper Golz was called into action again in the fourth minute to parry Nmecha’s deflected effort. Kovac’s side looked lively going forward, focused and clinical on the few counterattacks they had. After 15 minutes of play, BVB had four shots on goal to zero and 70% possession. Though, the Black & Yellows were unable to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances and had to be on their guard as the home side grew into the game.
RWE had successfully dug in their heels and almost took a 1-0 lead after half an hour.
Borussia Dortmund Defeats Mainz 05 with Late Guirassy Goal
Borussia Dortmund secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Mainz 05 in a Bundesliga match played on August 17, 2024, at the MEWA ARENA. A late goal from Serhou Guirassy, assisted by Ramy Bensebaini, proved to be the difference in a tightly contested encounter. The match, played before a sold-out crowd of 19,962 under clear skies and a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, saw Dortmund maintain their early momentum in the season.
Match Details
The game was characterized by a tactical battle, with both teams creating chances but failing to capitalize until the 79th minute. Dortmund’s winning goal came through a well-worked move, culminating in Bensebaini providing the assist for Guirassy to find the back of the net. Bundesliga Official Website provides comprehensive coverage of the match and league standings.
Mainz 05: Zentner – El Ghazi (83, martinovic), Bell, Leitsch – Widmer, Barreiro, Aumueller, Obuz), gjasula (87, Owusu), Brumme (75, Bouebari) – Moustier – Safi, Mizuta
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel – mane, Anton, Bensebaini – Couto, Sabitzer (90+4, Özcan), Svensson – Gross (64, Bellingham), Nmecha – Guirassy, Beier (64, Brandt)
Goals: 0-1 Guirassy (79., Bensebaini)
Statistics:
Corners: 2-5 (1-4 at half-time)
Chance Ratio: 2-3 (2-2)
Referee: Willenborg (Osnabrück)
Bookings: Svensson (Borussia Dortmund)
tactical Observations
Mainz 05 put up a strong fight, demonstrating a resilient defensive structure. However, they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the final third. Borussia Dortmund, while not at their fluent best, controlled possession for large periods and ultimately found a breakthrough thanks to Guirassy’s clinical finish. The substitution of Jude Bellingham in the 64th minute injected further energy into the Dortmund midfield.
Key Takeaways
Guirassy’s Impact: Serhou Guirassy continues to be a key player for Borussia Dortmund, scoring the decisive goal.
Defensive Solidity: Both teams displayed strong defensive organization, making it a challenging match for the attacking players.
Dortmund’s Efficiency: Despite not dominating the game, Dortmund demonstrated their ability to win even in tight contests.
Svensson Booking: The only booking of the match went to Dortmund’s Julian Svensson.
Looking Ahead
Borussia Dortmund will look to build on this victory in their upcoming Bundesliga fixtures. Mainz 05 will aim to bounce back from this defeat and improve their attacking output. The early stages of the Bundesliga season are proving to be highly competitive, with several teams vying for the top spots. ESPN Soccer provides updated league tables and schedules.