Dortmund currently exhibits the playstyle characteristic of the prominent club, Real Madrid.
In the inaugural match of the latest Champions League, last year's runner-up Borussia Dortmund clashes with Bruges, drawing upon their past experiences. The 3:0 (0:0) outcome seems a tad high. Dortmund can rely on someone who put in the hard work during the summer. "Undetachable," is the conclusion.
Jamie Gittens had ample time throughout the summer. He not only shed his dual moniker but also collaborated with his personal coach on the field. Time and again, he maneuvered from the left side into the penalty area, glanced up, and scored. More and more, he recognized the opportune moment. More and more, the ball found the back of the opposing net. When the new season kicked off, Borussia Dortmund missed Jadon Sancho on the wing, and the 20-year-old replaced him in the initial Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt. He seamlessly integrated with the flow.
Swiftly following his entrance, he hoisted a ball into the far corner and finished off a late counterattack for Borussia Dortmund's 2:0 triumph. He repeated this feat as the new playmaker of the Bundesliga squad. Twice he danced with the defense, even inviting them to help propel the ball into the net for the 1:0 goal, and then celebrated with his teammates.
While the Belgians languished in frustration, the small dance with the ball is a common football tactic. It's a move that routinely drives opponents to despair since, despite its predictability, it is almost impregnable when executed flawlessly. Generations of Bundesliga defenders tremble at the mention of Arjen Robben and his run from the right side to the edge of the penalty area. That's where Gittens aspires to be, that is what every player dreams of. It's still a long journey for the 20-year-old Englishman, but he's making progress and earning both national and international recognition in these early days of the 2024/2025 season.
Jamie Gittens thrives, Marcel Sabitzer struggles
"When Jamie is in the box, he's simply impregnable," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Possibly, he was already sifting through the offers that could surface for a player with such a stable trait. Being a young talent in Dortmund always means being ready to offer oneself for top-tier international quality. The role models Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham continue to loom large in Dortmund's thoughts. However, a club must consistently uphold this reputation. With Gittens, that might be possible. But that was merely a passing thought during the 18th of September 2024. The season and the new Dortmund team are still in the exploratory stage. There's plenty of time for such end-of-season scenarios.
"It was a good day, we triumphed, and I'm incredibly pleased," said Gittens, holding the player of the match trophy. He may display it in his living room, a precious memento that he worked tirelessly for. "I come onto the field, want to have fun and just make a difference in the game," he expounded. It took him less than ten minutes after his entrance for Marcel Sabitzer to vicariously experience the game. Sabitzer, on the other hand, had little enjoyment on the field previously.
Sahin had once more deployed him in the offensive outside position, also to keep Maxim de Cuyper, Bruges' offensively potent left-back, under control. "The six is better," said the Austrian after the game. Outside is certainly not his "optimal position," but in the end, that's up to the coach to decide. "That's something to respect," he said in passing. "There are situations where we need him in other positions," said Sahin and boosted his player's confidence: "He will also play many more games in the six." These were the only discordant notes on this first Champions League evening of the season.
Brugges finds solutions, Borussia Dortmund waits
Borussia was patient. For a long time, Dortmund attacked the deep-lying block of the Belgians with much ball possession, but to no avail. For a long time, Dortmund had to endure dangerous counterattacks. They even lost control of the game after the substitutions of Gittens and Felix Nmecha, who replaced Pascal Groß in the second half. "The game was sluggish and we couldn't find solutions in the final third. We had a lot of possession, but we weren't good at pressing," said captain Emre Can after the game. "That has to improve. It wasn't all good, but we take the three points and that's what matters."
Only from the 68th minute substitutions did Borussia Dortmund regain control. Ten minutes earlier, coach Nuri Şahin had already honed the rhythm of the game with Serhou Guirassy, who notched his first goal with a late penalty, and Waldemar Anton for Ramy Bensebaini. Yet, it wasn't enough. The 23-year-old midfielder Raphael Onyedika continued to offer cunning solutions to Dortmund's turnovers. The Belgians managed to infiltrate Dortmund's right attacking flank with swift exchanges, but they kept faltering. The longer the first matchday of the Champions League continued, the more paradoxically secure the victory of the visitors from Westphalia seemed.
Similar to their reputation as global heavyweights, Borussia Dortmund kept the home team dreaming of an upset for extended periods. This was reminiscent of last year's La Liga champions Real Madrid against Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, with the defending finalists, albeit at a lower level, drawing upon their wealth of experience from countless European encounters.
The losing side around keeper Simon Mignolet could only echo the familiar lament. "We played well," Mignolet, now back in his native Belgium since 2019, commented post-match. "Until the 75th minute, we had the upper hand, created good opportunities. If we score at the right moment, we win here. Unfortunately, they scored from a deflected shot. The 0-3 is too much. We don't deserve this. We played a good game." A performance that may not linger long in the memory of Bruges fans. That's par for the course in the preliminary stages of a Champions League campaign. Even the new 36-team format fails to alter this fact.
Julian Brandt Discusses Scoring Strategies
The Bundesliga visitors emerged victorious and now focus on their squad rejuvenation. Upcoming they face VfB Stuttgart, who could argue they matched Dortmund's European pedigree for some time. This is a tale many teams can relate to - ask Union Berlin, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, and Dortmund themselves, who all faced similar challenges last year. If you will, Bruges could join this club of teams.
From an outsider's perspective, the game was less about Dortmund securing the three points and more about how they'd achieve it. "You have 90 minutes to score goals. Sometimes patience is needed. It was tough, but we managed today," midfielder Julian Brandt stated with the confidence of a winner on DAZN.
What sets us apart is that we scored the goals from the bench. As with Frankfurt, it was the substitutes who clinched the game. Yet, goals can also be scored at the game's end, Brandt continued. Just as he did against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, substitute Jamie Gittens, having shed his twin-barrelled surname this summer, alleviated Dortmund's fear of underperforming in the Champions League this time around. The preparation paid off.**
After their successful integration into the team, both Jamie Gittens and Jadon Sancho have been making significant contributions on the wing for Borussia Dortmund. Gittens, in particular, has been impressive, scoring crucial goals and proving to be a valuable asset during counterattacks.
When ask about their scoring strategies, midfielder Julian Brandt highlighted the importance of patience and utilization of substitutes. He mentioned how Gittens' entry into the game against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bruges played a significant role in securing victories, showcasing how Dortmund sets itself apart in European competitions.
