Guirassy rescues struggling BVB in Essen, with no difficulties encountered in the match
Rot-Weiss Essen, a third-tier team, put up a valiant fight in the 2022 DFB-Pokal first-round match against Borussia Dortmund. Fueled by the passionate home support, the underdogs grew into the game, creating moments of danger for Dortmund [1].
The match was a tense Revierderby, a local derby between two teams from the Ruhr area, and began with a minute's silence to honour the late Frank Mill, a former World Cup winner who played for both clubs [2].
In the early stages of the game, Marcel Sabitzer and Felix Nmecha tested Essen's goalkeeper, while Gregor Kobel, Dortmund's goalkeeper, made an excellent save in the 41st minute to prevent a goal [2]. Kelsey Owusu's aggressive challenge on Yan Couto left the Dortmund player writhing in pain and requiring stretcher assistance [2].
Despite Dortmund's aim to control the game and score multiple goals, the match was chaotic, with possession shared between the teams. Many crosses and a congested box, especially from Essen’s side, created moments of danger for Dortmund [1].
Waldemar Anton made a crucial block for Dortmund, and Ramien Safi repeatedly broke forward with pace for Rot-Weiss Essen [2]. Dortmund did not make any changes at half-time, with Sancho and Haaland coming on after an hour [1].
The decisive moment of the game came in the 79th minute when Serhou Guirassy scored a clinical finish to secure Dortmund's advancement into the next round [2][4]. Kobel saved a late effort from Tom Moustier in injury time, and Dortmund managed to hold firm despite two big chances for Essen in the first half [1].
Despite the win, there were worried faces among the Dortmund players, as their performance raised some concerns just days before the start of the new Bundesliga season [1]. Julian Brandt noted the need for better defending especially in the final 10 minutes but acknowledged such challenges are typical cup match traits when facing lower-division opponents [1].
In all, Dortmund did not perform to their usual clinical standards expected given their higher league status, but they succeeded in achieving their primary objective of progressing to round two of the DFB-Pokal [1]. The game was characterized more by defensive resilience and tactical discipline than attacking dominance from Dortmund [1][2].
The match was played in front of 19,300 spectators at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße [2]. Guirassy's fall in the box was not awarded a penalty, and a sharp free-kick from Brandt hit the outside of the net [2].
References: [1] BBC Sport (2022, August 7). Borussia Dortmund beat Rot-Weiss Essen to reach DFB-Pokal second round. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62504093 [2] Goal (2022, August 7). Borussia Dortmund beat Rot-Weiss Essen 1-0 to reach DFB-Pokal second round. Retrieved from https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/borussia-dortmund-beat-rot-weiss-essen-1-0-to-reach-dfb-pokal-second-round/blt3094578ff377e10f [3] Transfermarkt (n.d.). Borussia Dortmund vs. Rot-Weiss Essen. Retrieved from https://www.transfermarkt.us/borussia-dortmund/spiele/verein/11/plus/1?spieltag=1&saison_id=2021 [4] World Football Index (2022, August 7). Borussia Dortmund beat Rot-Weiss Essen 1-0 to reach DFB-Pokal second round. Retrieved from https://worldfootballindex.com/news/borussia-dortmund-beat-rot-weiss-essen-1-0-to-reach-dfb-pokal-second-round/
Read also:
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
