Borussia Dortmund began their second Champions League group stage match with a 1-0 defeat away to Bodo/Glimt. Fredrik Sjovold scored in the 52nd minute for the Norwegian champions, sealing the first European loss of the season for BVB.
The match flow
Coach Niko Kovač opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation with Kobel in goal. The first half was patchy, Dortmund created chances but also lost control early. Kouakou Joane Gadou saw a yellow card in the 13th minute, with Fábio Silva following twelve minutes later. After the break, Bodo/Glimt capitalised on a set-piece: Sondre Auklend delivered a cross and Sjovold headed in the winner. Kovač reacted with a quadruple substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Serhou Guirassy and Felix Nmecha among others. The visitors' pressure was not enough to find an equaliser.
What the stats say
The numbers underline the narrow defeat. Dortmund had slightly more possession at 52 percent, but Bodo/Glimt were more effective. The Norwegians had eleven shots, four on target. BVB managed only three on target. The hosts also led in corners (10-4) and yellow cards (2-0). The expected goals (xG) were 1.2 to 0.84 in Glimt's favour.
Looking ahead
The defeat in Norway follows the 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen, where BVB conceded a late equaliser in stoppage time. In the Bundesliga, however, Borussia Dortmund remain second with 13 points from five games. The next opponent is 16th-placed Union Berlin away on Saturday (kick-off 15:30). This fixture is the next chance to correct the recent form, which has yielded only one point from the last two competitive matches. "Whether Niko Kovac's team lets the late equaliser against Werder Bremen at the weekend throw them off rhythm," the coach said after the match in Norway. Emre Can, Giorgos Konstantelias and Jefferson Lerma remain sidelined through injury. BVB now needs to pick up points in Berlin to maintain their strong position in the league.
Coach Niko Kovač admitted on Wednesday that his rotation plans for the match against Bodo/Glimt did not work out. "The rotations did not work out," said the BVB coach. The defeat in Norway was the first in the last five competitive matches, in which BVB had previously achieved three wins and a draw.
Coach Niko Kovač delivered a harsh verdict on his team's performance. "We didn't even exist until after the goal we conceded," said the BVB boss. The defeat in Norway was the first in the last five competitive matches, in which the team had previously achieved three wins and a draw. In the Bundesliga, BVB remains in second place with 13 points from five games.
