Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund – Match Report

Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund – Match Report

• Kane takes his tally to four goals in four UCL appearances
• A stunning Yarmolenko effort cancels out Son’s early strike
• Dortmund can’t find a second way past Tottenham after an early response, even with 63% possession

Chris Williams, Wembley Stadium

Tottenham picked apart an unusually poor Dortmund side at Wembley on Wednesday evening. Littered with mistakes across the field, Bosz will be furious at the way in which his game plan was disrupted by individual errors. Even with the lion’s share of possession Dortmund can count themselves lucky, it could have been a lot worse than the final 3:1 score line. In their 12^th UEFA Champions League campaign, Die Schwarzgelben were defeated for the fourth time in their opening match of the tournament – their official website described the first match loss as “inconsequential”. However, in such a competitive group this defeat must be followed by a home victory on Matchday 2. 

Tottenham vs  Borrusia Dortmund 3-1

Goals:

Tottenham – Son (4), Kane (15, 60)

Dortmund – Yarmolenko (11)

A blistering 15 minutes at Wembley saw three opening goals. Heung-Min Son broke down the left, driving with the ball for almost 30 yards. The South Korean then dropped his shoulder turning the Dortmund defence inside-out before cutting inside and unleashing a thunderbolt past Bürki. The goalkeeper should have done better, beaten on his near post he must have been disappointed – it was to start a trend of the night. If Peter Bosz wanted an immediate response he soon got one. His Dortmund side looked to find an equaliser quickly, probing the Tottenham defence it was their final ball which was lacking early on. The midfield trio of Sahin, Dahoud and Kagawa looked a little shaky — it was only by the time that they settled on 10 minutes that Dortmund began to retain some sort of shape.  It was though, the new boy that stole the show on 11 minutes, Yarmolenko introduced himself to the Dortmund supporters in the stadium and back home watching on TV. Letting rip from 18 yards he curled the ball past Lloris. From out of nothing the Ukrainian had manufactured a glorious goal.  Dortmund had dragged themselves back into the tie quickly – however, this was to only last four minutes. Kane broke down the left and scored an almost carbon copy of Tottenham’s first goal. Bürki was again beaten on his near post, showing far too much of the target to the prolific attacker, Kane was not to miss his chance. As the half wore on it was Aubameyang who had the better chance, first to score himself and then to set up Christian Pulisic – The Gabonese striker just couldn’t find the right weight of pass.  It was the American who found the net next, right on the stroke of half time but the officials judged him to be offside. As the half-time whistle went it was Tottenham who went in the happier, the side from London looked devastating down the left side — punishing Bürki twice on his near post. Yarmolenko’s stunner kept Dortmund in touching distance, just.

An action packed opening 15 minutes at Wembley Stadium saw 3 well taken goals (Photo: Chris Williams / Futbolgrad Live Network)

The second half was barely 10 minutes old when Aubameyang wheeled away to celebrate what he thought was Dortmund’s second. The assistant on the far side had other ideas and raised his flag, the referee ruled it out for offside. Televison replays suggested it was a mistake, Dortmund began to get a look of hunger in their play.  Once again though it was to be a Schwarzgelben error that proved to be costly — Kane gave Piszczek the slip and clinically finished for his second of the night. Just as Dortmund looked like they could close the gap their English hosts punished them.  Dortmund continued to apply pressure – however, as in the first half their superior possession couldn’t be translated into shots on target or an all important goal. Even the introducation of Castro and Götze couldn’t change the fortunes of Bosz’ men, as the time ticked on the prospect of two goals looked impossible.  A late red card for Vertonghen, for an apparent elbow to the face of Götze came too late to affect the outcome of the fixture. Dortmund had been picked off by a clinical Tottenham.

Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund – Man of the Match – Harry Kane (Tottenham) #10

The England striker took both his goals well and was a constant thorn in the side of Piszczek and Sokratis. Inspiring Tottenham, and whipping up the home crowd, he was the main difference in the end. Linking well with Son, Tottenham have a partnership for the rest of the Group H sides to fear.

Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund – Talking Point: Yarmolenko’s equaliser

Letting fly from 18 yards Yarmolenko curled the ball past an outstretched Lloris. From out of nothing the Ukrainian had manufactured a glorious goal and with it introduced himself to the travelling Südtribüne.

Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund – Match Stats

• Tottenham end with ten men as Vertonghen sees red
• Three goals in 15 minutes set the tone for a frantic night
• Dortmund’s 12-match unbeaten run ends

Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund – Lineups

Tottenham:

Formation: 5-4-1

Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele, Eriksen, Son; Kane.

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Dortmund:

Formation: 4-3-3

Bürki; Piszczek, Sokratis, Toprak Toljan; Sahin, Dahoud, Kagawa; Aubameyang, Yarmolenko, Pulisic

Coach: Peter Bosz

Chris Williams is a freelance European football journalist. Covering the Bundesliga, Premier League and both of UEFA’s European club competitions, he can be found somewhere between the Kop and Yellow Wall.  Published in both local and international publications, such as the Liverpool Echo and Sport Bild, he also contributes to television and radio across the United Kingdom. A member of the UK’s Sports Journalist Association and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) he lives and breathes football. Follow Chris Williams on Twitter @Chris78Williams