Borussia Dortmund gave their UEFA Champions League hopes a much-needed shot in the arm with a narrow victory over Olympiakos.
German champions triumph over Olympiakos
Borussia Dortmund gave their UEFA Champions League hopes a much-needed shot in the arm with a narrow victory over Olympiakos.
Dortmund had gone into Matchday Four at the foot of Group F with just one point from their opening three games, but Kevin Grosskreutz's superb early strike settled the contest in their favour.
The German champions have now climbed onto four points on the back of their first win, one above Olympiakos and three behind second-placed Marseille with two games remaining.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc had described the match as their most important of the season and he would have been delighted with the start his side made.
Ivan Perisic could have put Dortmund ahead after just three minutes but fired a good chance over the bar, but the home side need not have worried as four minutes later they took the lead.
Swerved
Mario Gotze made inroads near the left corner of the area before laying the ball back to Grosskreutz, whose thumping first-time effort from 25 yards out swerved past the diving Balazs Megyeri and into the top corner of the net.
It was a superb strike to break the deadlock, and would turn out to be the match-winning goal.
Olympiakos, who had beaten Dortmund 3-1 at home a fortnight ago, tried to mount a quick response and Kevin Mirallas drew a save out of home goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.
The visitors had an even better opportunity just before the half-hour mark when Ariel Ibagaza's deep free-kick to the far post was chased by Weidenfeller and, when Rafik Djebbour managed to head the ball back across goal, the Dortmund custodian was left out of position.
However, Dortmund escaped as the stretching Francois Modesto was unable to keep his volley on target from close range.
Pushed forward
Olof Mellberg also headed another Olympiakos chance wide just before half-time as Dortmund went into the interval with their lead intact.
The hosts had a great chance to double their advantage in the 59th minute when a poor back-pass by Jose Holebas was intercepted by Robert Lewandowski just ahead of Megyeri.
Lewandowski was driven wide though and as he attempted to curl his shot into the open net from a narrow angle, his effort hit the near post before flying across the goal.
Mellberg had another headed chance for Olympiakos in the 62nd minute but he was again unable to hit the target.
Olympiakos pushed forward late on in a bid to get something out of the game but the Dortmund defence held firm as the German outfit claimed a vital victory.
| Borussia Dortmund |
Team Statistics |
Olympiakos |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 3 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 2 |
Corners |
5 |
| 17 |
Fouls |
20 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
3 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 70.7 |
Passing Success |
72.9 |
| 23 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 69.6 |
Tackles Success |
83.3 |
| 51.7 |
Possession |
48.3 |
| 54.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
45.2 |
| 444 |
Total Passes |
399 |
| 9 |
Total Crosses |
21 |
| 200 |
Lost Balls |
204 |
| 55 |
Recoveries |
50 |
|
