Donyell Malen got here off the bench and scored the one aim as Borussia Dortmund floor out a 1-0 residence win over Sturm Graz within the Champions League on Tuesday.
A visibly weary Dortmund, nursing a mounting harm record, had been lacking eight common starters and had just one senior skilled, Malen, on the bench.
Malen struck 5 minutes from time after stealing possession as Graz performed out from the again, linking up with Serhou Guirassy to safe Dortmund their third win from 4 Champions League video games.
“They seem to be a laborious workforce to play towards however on the finish we acquired our reward,” Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin informed DAZN.
“Hats off to the lads, they did not cease working. What they did is not regular,” he added.
“I am joyful for Donnie (Malen). I informed him we wanted depth from the bench and he introduced that right this moment.”
Regardless of enjoying every week after going to further time in a German Cup loss at Wolfsburg and three days since a gritty residence victory over RB Leipzig, Sahin was pressured into naming an unchanged XI.
Final season’s Champions League runners-up dominated possession however had been unable to reap the benefits of the distinction in school with their Austrian opponents.
Graz’s 2.06-metre tall goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen impressed, notably within the first half as he saved pictures from Marcel Sabitzer and Maximilian Beier.
With only a minute remaining within the first half and Scherpen overwhelmed, Graz captain Otar Kiteishvili saved a sure aim by clearing a Beier shot off the road.
The hosts continued to camp out close to the Graz penalty field however misplaced their zip as the sport went on, with Sahin bringing Malen from the bench.
Getting inside inches of a tap-in simply moments after approaching, the Dutchman’s freshness was noticeable and he would show the distinction, placing Dortmund forward within the closing minutes.
“We did not let something by way of the entire recreation, had many possibilities and scored a really late aim on the finish,” mentioned Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.
“It does not matter to me how we get the three factors — we lastly saved a clear sheet, I am very happy.”
Dortmund are fourth within the 36-team Champions League desk, whereas Graz are nonetheless and not using a level after 4 matches.
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