Borussia Dortmund 1 : 0 Olympiakos Piraeus - Much-needed win for Dortmund - 7M sport

Borussia Dortmund 1 : 0 Olympiakos Piraeus - Much-needed win for Dortmund



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Posted Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by PA

Borussia Dortmund breathed fresh life into their hopes of progressing through to the Champions League knockout stages after recording a much-needed 1-0 victory over Olympiacos.

Dortmund had started the evening propping up Group F with just one point from their opening three games, but Kevin Grosskreutz's fine early goal settled the contest in their favour and earned them their first win.

The triumph lifts the German champions onto four points, one above Olympiacos and three behind second-placed Marseille.

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc had described the match as their most important of season in the lead-up to the match and he would have been delighted with the start his side made.

Ivan Perisic could have put Dortmund ahead after just three minutes but fired a good chance over the bar, but the home side need not have worried as four minutes later they took the lead.

Mario Gotze made inroads near the left corner of the area before laying the ball back to Grosskreutz, whose thumping first-time effort from 25 yards out swerved past the diving Balazs Megyeri and into the top corner of the net.

It was a superb strike to break the deadlock, and would turn out to be the match-winning goal.

Olympiacos, who had beaten Dortmund 3-1 at home a fortnight ago, tried to mount a quick response and Kevin Mirallas drew a save out of home goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.

The visitors had an even better opportunity just before the half-hour mark when Ariel Ibagaza's deep free-kick to the far post was chased by Weidenfeller and, when Rafik Djebbour managed to head the ball back across goal, the Dortmund custodian was left out of position.

However, Dortmund escaped as the stretching Francois Modesto was unable to keep his volley on target from close range.

Olof Mellberg also headed another Olympiacos chance wide just before half-time as Dortmund went into the interval with their one-goal lead intact.

The hosts had a great chance to double their advantage in the 59th minute when a poor back-pass by Jose Holebas was intercepted by Robert Lewandowski just ahead of Megyeri.

Lewandowski was driven wide though and as he attempted to curl his shot into the open net from a narrow angle, his effort hit the near post before flying across the goal.

Mellberg had another headed chance for Olympiacos in the 62nd minute but he was again unable to hit the target.

Olympiacos pushed forward late on in a bid to get something out of the game but the Dortmund defence held firm as the German outfit claimed a vital victory.



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