Borussia Dortmund were left flattered by a 3-0 scoreline following the final whistle in Brugge on Wednesday night. Nuri Şahin’s squad undoubtedly accomplished its primary objective of claiming all three points to begin the new UEFA Champions League campaign in its new format. Substitutes Jamie Gittens and Serhou Guirassy provided the goals, with Gittens providing nearly identical solo efforts from the left wing and a late conversion from the penalty spot for Guirassy following a clumsy challenge on Dortmund’s new striker.
However, with the exception of the sublime individual moments in the latter stages of the game, Dortmund failed to impress for large portions and were fortunate to have not conceded a couple goals of their own. Şahin opted for a lineup that, at least on paper, would theoretically exude UCL experience and stability.
Nico Schlotterbeck returned to the lineup after missing Dortmund’s previous Bundesliga match against Heidenheim, but he did not return to the same role. Rather than featuring as a wide centre-back in a 3-2 build-up shape, he played alongside Niklas Süle in what was normally either a 2-2 or 3-1 with Ramy Bensebaini and Julian Ryerson pushed high and wide as more traditional wing-backs.
How Borussia Dortmund utilised Pascal Groß
As has been the case in every match thus far, Pascal Groß took on the primary responsibility of both ball retention and progression. Emre Can partnered with him in what appeared to be a double-pivot on paper, though it functioned as more of a single as Groß frequently drifted wide to act as a sort of shuttler just off Schlotterbeck’s left side. In reality, it was difficult to pinpoint the efficiency of Dortmund’s captain. Not really offering much in regard to ball progression and looking about as lost as the rest of squad during what were alarmingly poor defensive transition phases.
Julian Brandt had his moments of excellent pivots and precisely weighted passes to the flanks, but nothing really materialised in dangerous areas. Much of the same can be said about Karim Adeyemi and Donyell Malen. Finding pockets to drop deeper to get on the ball, dribble, and run into a Brugge wall anywhere near the edge of the box.
It was here that Brugge found most of its success with the likes of Brandt, Marcel Sabitzer, Groß and Can appearing unable to close down these quick counter-pressure sequences from the Belgian side. On multiple occasions it felt as if the central channels were being carved open. Arguably, the most concerning aspect being that it wasn’t really the result of outstandingly fluid or dynamic passing combinations on the part of Brugge. Rather, it often came as a result of simply winning the battle of verticality with sheer desire and athleticism.
Şahin’s men found ways to scramble in front of shots in these moments and Brugge will absolutely find themselves at a loss for words following the inability to score from any of them. The structure needed to change and so did some of its individual components. This was done at around the 60 minute mark when Dortmund returned more of a back 3 in possession with Schlotterbeck shifting wide for the substituted Bensebaini and Waldemar Anton taking up the right centre-back role.
This created a bit more of a controlled feel for Borussia Dortmund in terms of their level of vulnerability out of possession, but the system truly found its legs with the introductions of both Gittens and Felix Nmecha just before the 70th minute. Nmecha, who impressed in an opportunity to start alongside Groß against Heidenheim over the weekend, brought a different level of individual creativity to central midfield.
The final 25 minutes ended up serving as the stage for Gittens to shine as its central figure and player of the match. In a very similar fashion to his game-changing cameo against Frankfurt on matchday one of the Bundesliga, he found the opportunity to cut in from the wing, take on his opponent with a dizzying array of step overs, and force poor posture and decision making to open space for a deflected shot that looped into the far corner of Simon Mignolet’s net.
The next goal was preluded by an ominously familiar scenario for Brugge – Gittens finding space on the left wing to aggressively dribble into the heart of the box. This time, he took on two defenders, generated space after both defenders fell for his feints, and drove a low shot into the far corner in what was a blistering solo effort once again. Şahin and his staff weren’t shy about their confidence in the English winger heading into this season. Many in Germany have seen glimpses of what he could be if healthy. As of now, he has made it abundantly clear that he is Dortmund’s most dangerous individual threat in wide areas.
Guirassy adding the third goal in stoppage time was a great sight for those in black and yellow, but it also further veiled much of what was a frustratingly unconvincing total performance from BVB. Yet, this is a competition in which the manner of the victory often takes a back seat to the result in an even greater capacity than domestic league play. It’s the sort of match that Dortmund should be winning and, at the end of the day, they have done just that.
Nuri Şahin has a big decision to make ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s next game
You do get the sense that at some point, maybe as soon as Sunday against Stuttgart, Şahin opts to start Gittens and potentially Nmecha in place of both Malen and Can. The former feels more likely considering Can’s status as captain and the understandable endeavour on Şahin’s part to protect his captain’s morale at these early stages.
The obvious rebuttal – at what cost? The jury may still be out in regard to whether a back 3 or traditional 4 is better in the long run, but the same cannot be said about the limitations that certainly stem from Can’s partnership with Groß. The matchup against Stuttgart will reveal a lot about the true state of this squad, for better or worse.
