Dortmund 1:0 Sturm Graz (November 5, 2024) Game analysis

Borussia Dortmund substitute Donyell Malen scored in the 85th minute to secure a 1-0 win over Sturm Graz in the Champions League and their third win from four games on Tuesday.

The Dutch striker, who has spent a lot of time on the bench this season amid speculation about his future at the club, came on as a substitute in the 67th minute.

He intercepted a ball in the Austrian half, played a one-two with Serhou Guirassy and finished with a well-placed shot in the penalty area.

The result shows last year's finalists Dortmund, who next play Dinamo Zagreb on November 27, are bouncing back from their 5-2 defeat to defending champions Real Madrid on the previous matchday.

“A very important victory,” coach Nuri Sahin said at a press conference. “It was a deserved win, even though we scored late. We controlled the game most of the time.”

“We stayed clear. I thought it would happen sooner (the goal). But even though we scored a late goal, it’s nine points for us so far.”

They have now won their last two games in all competitions, having beaten RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga last week, just days after Dortmund's shock exit from the DFB Cup against VfL Wolfsburg.

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Europe's top league has moved from a group stage to a league stage this season, with 36 teams playing eight games each, with the top eight in the table advancing straight to the next round, while the next 16 teams play in two playoffs.

Dortmund had spent most of the first half in possession and had a few chances, but lacked clean finishing and Guirassy came agonizingly close with a low shot in the 28th minute.

However, the visitors, who have now lost all four games, were dangerous on the counterattack and threatened with a curling shot from Jusuf Gazibegovic.

Sturm's Mika Biereth also came close in the 71st minute, but the Dane missed with a header from close range. Instead, it was the Germans who scored and moved up to fourth place in the standings. The Austrians, who still have no points, are in 32nd place.

“In my opinion we had the better opportunities in the phase before the goal,” said Sturm coach Christian Ilzer. “But then the goal fell and we were left empty-handed. This is very annoying. But in a game like this we have to take the lead.”