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Played
November 1, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Signal-Iduna-Park — Dortmund
Referee: V. Bezborodov
Attendance: 65590
November 1, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Signal-Iduna-Park — Dortmund
Referee: V. Bezborodov
Attendance: 65590
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Olympiakos: Grosskreutz goal revives qualification hopes for Jurgen Klopp's men
An early strike from the German international gave the hosts' their first Champions League win of the season and renews their hope of qualification from Group F
By Alex Mott
Getty Images
A seventh-minute Kevin Grosskreutz strike earned Borussia Dortmund a hard-fought 1-0 win over Olympiakos at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday evening, to move back into contention to qualify from Champions League Group F.
Jurgen Klopp's side went into the game knowing that only a victory would keep them in with a chance of qualifying, and they did so by making two changes. 18-year-old Moritz Leitner replaced Sven Bender in defensive midfield, whilst Kevin Grosskreutz came in for Shinji Kagawa.
The Greeks made five changes to the side that drew with OFI Crete at the weekend. The shock starter was 21-year-old goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri, who came in for his debut Champions League appearance.
It was the home side who began the brightest, and they turned that brightness into goals as early as the seventh minute. Mario Gotze was the architect as he ignored more obvious options inside the box, and instead rolled the ball across the 18 yard line for Grosskreutz, who smashed past the crowded box and into the top left-hand corner.
Gotze was completely running the show in midfield, and it was from his cross that Dortmund nearly doubled their lead. A free-kick from the left-hand side was drilled in, only for Mats Hummels to miss his header by inches.
The home side continued to dominate, but in the dying moments of the half Olof Mellberg had the visitors' best opportunity. A Holebas corner found the former Aston Villa man inside the six yard box, but his header went over the bar.
Again, Klopp's men started the better of the two sides in the second half, and it was a youngster that was leading the way. This time it was Leitner who was showing maturity beyond his years, as a quick free-kick from the German nearly caught Megyeri unaware.
Both sides were pushing hard for a goal, but it was Lewandowski who had the best opportunity to score. On 60 minutes, instinctive play from the Pole saw him steal the ball off Mellberg and take the ball around Megyeri, but, from the byline, he could only hit the near post with his shot.
Dortmund successfully managed to shut out their Greek visitors for the remaining half an hour, and recorded their first victory in this season's Champions League.
That win for Dortmund moves them above Olympiakos into third in Group F as they travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal on matchday five. Meanwhile, the Greeks have another away trip, this time to the Stade Velodrome to face Marseille.
Jurgen Klopp's side went into the game knowing that only a victory would keep them in with a chance of qualifying, and they did so by making two changes. 18-year-old Moritz Leitner replaced Sven Bender in defensive midfield, whilst Kevin Grosskreutz came in for Shinji Kagawa.
The Greeks made five changes to the side that drew with OFI Crete at the weekend. The shock starter was 21-year-old goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri, who came in for his debut Champions League appearance.
It was the home side who began the brightest, and they turned that brightness into goals as early as the seventh minute. Mario Gotze was the architect as he ignored more obvious options inside the box, and instead rolled the ball across the 18 yard line for Grosskreutz, who smashed past the crowded box and into the top left-hand corner.
Gotze was completely running the show in midfield, and it was from his cross that Dortmund nearly doubled their lead. A free-kick from the left-hand side was drilled in, only for Mats Hummels to miss his header by inches.
The home side continued to dominate, but in the dying moments of the half Olof Mellberg had the visitors' best opportunity. A Holebas corner found the former Aston Villa man inside the six yard box, but his header went over the bar.
Again, Klopp's men started the better of the two sides in the second half, and it was a youngster that was leading the way. This time it was Leitner who was showing maturity beyond his years, as a quick free-kick from the German nearly caught Megyeri unaware.
Both sides were pushing hard for a goal, but it was Lewandowski who had the best opportunity to score. On 60 minutes, instinctive play from the Pole saw him steal the ball off Mellberg and take the ball around Megyeri, but, from the byline, he could only hit the near post with his shot.
Dortmund successfully managed to shut out their Greek visitors for the remaining half an hour, and recorded their first victory in this season's Champions League.
That win for Dortmund moves them above Olympiakos into third in Group F as they travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal on matchday five. Meanwhile, the Greeks have another away trip, this time to the Stade Velodrome to face Marseille.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
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Mario Gomez
Striker Bayern |
13 | 0 |
|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
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Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
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|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |
