Dortmund stop the rot to throw group wide open

23:59 | 27.11.2013
Dortmund stop the rot to throw group wide open

Dortmund stop the rot to throw group wide open

Borussia Dortmund ended a worrying run of form with a vital 3-1 win at home to Napoli in Group F of the Champions League.Juergen Klopp’s highly-fancied BvB had lost three matches in a row, and another defeat would have seen last season’s finalists dumped out of Europe's premier club competition.But Marco Reus proved his worth with an early penalty after Robert Lewandowski was fouled, and he set up Jakub Blaszczykowski for a breakaway second on the hour mark.Napoli pulled one back when Lorenzo Insigne scored just after coming off the bench, but fellow substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang restored the two-goal advantage with a cool finish.The result means Dortmund join Napoli on nine points with one match remaining, as leaders Arsenal move on to 12 ahead of an interesting final matchday.KEY MOMENTSPre-match: Dortmund field a defence boasting three midfielders as injuries take their toll. Napoli are without main man Marek Hamsik but start as many forwards as possible in an attacking formation.10’ – GOAL: Reus coolly slides the penalty into the bottom right. Awarded after Lewandowski was held back by Fernandez.17’ – SAVE: Super dipping, swerving free-kick from Reus that was headed bottom left but Reina tipped it behind!29’ – POST: Callejon with a fantastic jinking run and a low finish across Weidenfeller that rattles the far post.35’ – SAVE: Reina with another good block, keeping out Lewandowski with his feet.54-58’ – CHANCES: A handful of good opportunities for Dortmund as Reus misses one, Lewandowski is denied a tap-in, Reina twice saves well and Albiol clears off the line.59’ – CHANCE: Brilliant save from Weidenfeller as Higuain is sent clean through on the break.60’ – GOAL: Kuba slides a cool finish past Reina after a scintillating counter-attack. Lewandowski with the assist.71’ – GOAL: Only a few minutes after coming on, Insigne latches on to an excellent Higuain pass to finish from a tight angle. Weidenfeller culpable.78’ – GOAL: Having earlier been denied by Reina in a one-on-one, Aubameyang gets the better of the Napoli keeper with a cute chipped finish. Lewandowski assists.KEY STATSDespite being on the end of a defeat, Napoli had 55% of possession.Both sides had 12 efforts on target, with Dortmund keeper Weidenfeller saving 11 and Reina nine, while both also hit the woodwork once apiece.MATCHCAST: PLAYER RATINGS AND FULL COMMENTARYTALKING POINTWhy is Dortmund’s squad so small? Injuries to three defenders meant Sokratis was accompanied by two wing-backs and a midfielder in a makeshift back four. Given the resources at their disposal, surely Klopp should have a few more senior defenders? Manuel Friedrich is not the solution.MAN OF THE MATCHMarco Reus (Dortmund) – A cool finish from the spot and a fine assist, Reus was the best of a good bunch in an impressive counter-attacking performance.PLAYER RATINGSDortmund: Weidenfeller 7; Großkreutz 7, Sokratis 6, Bender 6, Durm 6; Sahin 7, Kehl 6; Blaszczykowski 7, Mkhitaryan 7, Reus 7; Lewandowski 7; Subs: Aubameyang 7, Piszczek NA, Schieber NANapoli: Reina 7; Maggio 6, Fernández 5, Albiol 6, Armero 6; Dzemaili 6, Behrami 6; Callejón 7, Pandev 6, Mertens 5; Higuaín 6; Subs: Inler 6, Insigne 7, Zapata 6(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com) ANN.Az
0
Follow us !

REKLAM

Latest

Remittances to Azerbaijan fall 32% in Jan-Sept yr/yr