Fantastic Guirassy seals Atalanta's fate and puts one BVB's foot in next UCL round
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 18.02.26. | 10:33
The Guinean led Dortmund to a 2-0 victory with a goal and an assist, as the German side almost secured its spot in the Round of 16
The two-legged Champions League clash between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta is by no means over, but after the first duel played in Germany, we can already hint at the winner. Niko Kovac's men brushed aside the Serie A side easier than expected (2-0), putting one foot in the Round of 16.
Dortmund played without the captain Emre Can and two key defenders, Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule, but it turned out that everything they needed for the win was embodied in one man - Serhou Guirassy.
The Guinean who found the net five times in the last three games continued his scoring spree in the elite European competition, breaking the deadlock after only three minutes, exploiting Julian Ryerson's fantastic cross from the right-hand side.
In the 42nd minute, the African striker took the role of an assist-provider, setting up an easy finish for Maximilian Beier following Dortmund's quick counterattack.
After the break, the home team took its foot off the gas, but was focused enough not to allow the visitors to score, taking a significant advantage ahead of the return leg in Bergamo in seven days.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS
First leg
Tuesday
Galatasaray - Juventus 5-2 (1-2)
/Sara 15, Lang 49, 75, Sanchez 60, Boey 86 - Koopmeiners 16, 32/
Benfica - Real Madrid 0-1 (0-0)
/Vinicius 50/
Dortmund - Atalanta 2-0 (2-0)
/Guirassy 3, Beier 42/
Monaco - PSG 2-3 (2-2)
/Balogun 1, 18 - Doue 29, 67, Hakimi 41/
Wednesday
20.45: (7.75) Qarabag (4.50) Newcastle (1.42)
23.00: (5.00) Bodo (3.90) Inter (1.68)
23.00: (3.85) Club Brugge (3.90) Atl.Madrid (1.95)
23.00: (2.50) Olympiakos (3.35) Leverkusen (2.85)
***odds are subject to change***