Borussia Dortmund made significant strides toward securing their place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League with a decisive 3-0 victory against Sporting Lisbon during their first leg playoff on February 11, 2025, at the Estádio José Alvalade.
The match was somewhat cagey during the first half, as both teams measured each other up, resulting in limited scoring opportunities. Sporting had their chances, including a thundering shot from Maximiliano Araújo, which struck the crossbar early on. Dortmund's defense held firm, and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was alert enough to thwart several threats, keeping the score level at halftime.
Dortmund came out after the break with renewed vigor, and it was not long before they found their rhythm. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Serhou Guirassy, who has been exceptional this season, headed the ball expertly from a precise cross by Julian Brandt. Guirassy’s goal marked his 10th of the season, solidifying his position as the joint-top scorer of the Champions League.
Soon after, Pascal Groß found the net by tapping in another exquisite cross from Guirassy, effectively doubling Dortmund’s lead and putting Sporting on the back foot. By the 82nd minute, Karim Adeyemi sealed the victory, finishing off yet another counterattack initiated by Brandt, who had turned provider once more. With this performance, Dortmund demonstrated their attacking prowess and ability to capitalize on opportunities, leaving them on the cusp of advancing to the last 16.
Fans at the José Alvalade witnessed their team struggle to find the back of the net, as Dortmund's defense saw them through what could have been tricky moments. Despite some promising attacks, Sporting Lisbon could not convert their chances, which has been particularly troubling for them as they have not won any of their last four Champions League fixtures.
Post-match, Dortmund's head coach Niko Kovač expressed pride at how his team responded after halftime. “We showed great character and determination to bounce back and perform like we did. The second half was much more like what I expect from us. It’s only the first leg, but this gives us great momentum,” he stated.
With this valuable win, Dortmund prepares for the return leg with their heads held high. Historically, Dortmund has performed well against Portuguese teams, winning three out of their four encounters with Sporting prior to this showdown. This latest victory does nothing to dent confidence levels among the squad, especially considering their recent struggles domestically.
The result is particularly significant for Dortmund as they chase success both in Europe and at home. Currently positioned 10th in the Bundesliga, every chance to build positive momentum is welcomed. Guirassy has been instrumental to Dortmund's performances both domestically and on the European stage, scoring nine goals throughout this campaign before the matchday.
Sporting's coach, Rui Borges, will need to regroup his squad as they head to Germany for the second leg. Post-match statements showed the coach acknowledging the strengths of Dortmund, stating, “We knew it would be tough, but we must now focus on our return leg. We have the potential to challenge them at home.”
With the Champions League knockout phase approaching, Dortmund's commanding performance should be seen as both motivation and caution. While they are well positioned to advance, the game away from home will be pivotal. Can they hold onto their clean sheet and demonstrate their capability to shut down Sporting's attacking threats once again when the two teams meet again?
Match statistics highlighted the efficiency of Dortmund's offense, which outstripped Sporting's attempts, as they found space to exploit counterattacks more effectively. Guirassy and Brandt's combination proved to be particularly fruitful, continually pressing Sporting's defense as they sought to recover from their first-leg deficit.
The first leg result assures Dortmund of their chances, propelling them forward with hope to achieve the season’s objectives. Following this result, the pressure now lies with Sporting to reverse fortunes at home — can they muster the strength to come back and secure advancement, or is Borussia Dortmund set on asserting their dominance as they have done historically against Portuguese teams? Only time will tell as the Champions League drama continues.