Borussia Dortmund secure 4-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao

Borussia Dortmund marked their return to Champions League action at Westfalenstadion with a commanding 4-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao. 

Despite a spirited fightback from Bilbao, late strikes from Serhou Guirassy and Julian Brandt sealed the win for Niko Kovač’s side.

The opening exchanges were cagey, with neither team asserting dominance early on. Dortmund focused their attacks down the right, where Julian Ryerson and Karim Adeyemi linked up effectively, though their final ball lacked precision. 

It wasn’t until the 18th minute that the first shot on target arrived, as Ryerson set up Marcel Sabitzer, whose effort was comfortably saved by Unai Simon. Athletic Bilbao’s Roberto Navarro squandered a rare chance, heading wide.

Dortmund broke the deadlock in the 28th minute through their persistent right-flank play. Ryerson’s pinpoint cross found Daniel Svensson, whose powerful shot beat Simon at the back post.

Niklas Süle, back from injury, tested Simon with one effort and fired another just wide. Despite a dangerous set-piece from Bilbao, Dortmund held a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Bilbao’s manager, Ernesto Valverde, responded with a triple substitution at the break, bringing on Aymeric Laporte, Jesús Areso, and Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta. 

However, Dortmund quickly extended their lead five minutes into the second half, as Guirassy unselfishly teed up Carney Chukwuemeka to slot home. 

The visitors found their footing, with Maroan testing Gregor Kobel, but a defensive mix-up between Süle and Anton gifted Gorka Guruzeta a goal on the hour, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Navarro’s potential equalizer was ruled out for offside after a VAR check, and Kovač countered by introducing Nico Schlotterbeck and Felix Nmecha to steady the ship. 

Substitute Julian Brandt was denied by a stunning Simon save, but Dortmund’s persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Sabitzer’s shot deflected off Guirassy to wrong-foot the Bilbao keeper. 

In stoppage time, Bilbao’s sloppy possession allowed Brandt to hammer home from distance, securing a 4-1 rout.

Dortmund’s clinical finishing and late surge ensured a memorable Champions League night at Westfalenstadion.