Dortmund can win even without Guirassy

Serhou Guirassy has been the main player for Borussia Dortmund since the start of the season. Guinea striker scored five goals and added one assist in six games in all competition so when he injured his muscle at the pre-match warm-up, Borussia fans were worried. But it turned out they didn’t need to be. Guirassy has previously missed four Bundesliga games since joining Dortmund in June 2024. BVB's record in his absence is an encouraging three wins - including at home to Mainz last term - and one draw and today they extended it to four: Mainz – Borussia 0-2.

This win marks Dortmund’s 12 points won (out of possible 15) which is actually Dortmund's best start to a league campaign in eight years. Credits for that goes to coach Niko Kovač, who has best points-per-game ratio of any BVB boss in the division’s history from his 19 matches in charge. What is even more impressive is that the Croatian coach finally managed to get the best of Karim Adeyemi. The Germany international with Nigerian descent has finally showed his full potential and what’s more important, he is doing that constantly. Since March alone, it's now 16 goal involvements in 31 games for the Dortmund No.27, who is fresh off a single-season-best contribution in BVB colours of 24 in all competitions. Today, he scored the second goal and forced keeper Zentner to foul him and get the red card.

The game was finished at the end of the first half, when Dortmund scored two goals. Mainz had an excellent chance prior to opening goal, but couldn’t capitalize and the hosts look in despair when a few seconds later Brandt passed the ball from his right only to find unmarked Svensson who couldn’t miss – 0:1. Five minutes before the end of the first half, Adeyemi scored the second goal. The Germany international exchanged passes with Brandt and sweeping past Zentner for his second goal in as many games.

Mainz really tried to create chances in the second half and had one in the 56th minute. Hanche-Olsen found room to attack a Nebel corner, but his header is too close to Kobel, who saved it easily. Dortmund didn’t have a single shot on goal until the 70th minute, but their job was done in the 67th minute. Adeyemi got the ball on the counter attack was quicker that the home keeper Zentner, who fouled him outside the penalty area as the last player and got the red card. All Dortmund needed to do was to secure it’s on net with all 11 men on the field and Niko Kovač’s men did it. They are now just two points behind league leaders Bayern Munich.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 5

Friday

Bayern - Werder 4-0 (2-0)

/Tah 22, Kane 45 pen, 65, Laimer 88/

Saturday

Heidenheim - Augsburg 2-1 (0-0)

/Kaufmann 47, Conteh 54 - Tietz 90+5/

Mainz - Dortmund 0-2 (0-2)

/Svensson 27, Adeyemi 40/

St.Pauli - Leverkusen 1-2 (1-1)

/Wahl 32 - Tapsoba 25, Poku 58/

Wolfsburg - RB Leipzig 0-1 (0-1)

/Bakayoko 8/

19.30: (3.05) M' gladbach (3.50) Eintr.Frankfurt (2.25)

Sunday

16.30: (2.25) Freiburg (3.75) Hoffenheim (3.15)

18.30: (3.05) Koln (3.60) Stuttgart (2.40)

20.30: (2.00) Union Berlin (3.50) Hamburger (3.80)

***odds are subject to change***