bundesliga

Serhou Guirassy inspires dramatic Borussia Dortmund comeback in 4-2 thriller against Bochum

28.09.2024

Borussia Dortmund overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling 4-2 win against Bochum, with Serhou Guirassy netting twice in a remarkable turnaround at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund entered the match looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, a 5-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 4. Coach Nuri Şahin made three changes to the starting lineup, bringing in Yan Couto, Emre Can, and Jamie Gittens. VfL Bochum, still searching for their first win of the season, arrived at Signal Iduna Park with a historical advantage, having won six times at Dortmund's home ground - more than at any other Bundesliga venue. The visitors made two changes, with Tim Oermann and Anthony Losilla replacing Erhan Mašović and Lukas Daschner.

Matúš Bero celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Bochum, stunning the home crowd at Signal Iduna Park. - IMAGO/kolbert-press/Marc Niemeyer

Bochum's blistering start

The match began with Bochum pressing high, unsettling Dortmund in the early stages. This aggressive approach paid dividends in the 16th minute when Matúš Bero broke the deadlock. The midfielder finished off a clever one-two with Philipp Hofmann, rifling a shot past Gregor Kobel from just inside the box. The goal, clocked at an impressive 108.69 km/h, stunned the home crowd and gave Bochum a deserved lead. Before Dortmund could recover, they found themselves two goals down just five minutes later. A calamitous error from Kobel, attempting to dribble past Myron Boadu, allowed Dani de Wit to pounce and slot into an empty net. Bochum's dream start had put them in a commanding position, leaving Dortmund shell-shocked.

Dani de Wit scored Bochum's second goal, capitalising on a Dortmund defensive error to extend the lead. - Christof Koepsel

Dortmund's response

Despite the setback, Dortmund gradually found their rhythm. Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi began to threaten, with Brandt forcing a save from Patrick Drewes and Adeyemi causing problems with his pace. The home side's persistence paid off just before half-time when Guirassy pulled a goal back. The striker rose highest to meet Brandt's cross, powering a header past Drewes to give Dortmund hope going into the break. The goal was a testament to Guirassy's aerial prowess and Brandt's vision, providing a crucial lifeline for the hosts.

Serhou Guirassy's powerful header finds the back of the net, giving Dortmund a lifeline before half-time - IMAGO/Maximilian Koch

Second-half surge

Dortmund emerged from the break with renewed vigor, dominating possession and pinning Bochum back. Their efforts were rewarded in the 62nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Felix Passlack fouled Guirassy in the box. Can stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick, leveling the score and setting the stage for a thrilling finale. The equalizer galvanized Dortmund, with Şahin's substitutions proving influential. The introduction of Julien Duranville and Maximilian Beier added fresh impetus to the attack, while Felix Nmecha's arrival bolstered the midfield.

Emre Can converted the penalty that brought Dortmund level, igniting the home crowd. - IMAGO/Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images

Guirassy seals the comeback

The momentum had firmly shifted in Dortmund's favor, and it was Guirassy who once again rose to the occasion. In the 75th minute, the striker combined brilliantly with Adeyemi before slotting past Drewes to give Dortmund the lead for the first time in the match. The goal showcased Guirassy's clinical finishing and his burgeoning partnership with Adeyemi. Bochum, shell-shocked by the turnaround, struggled to regain their composure. Dortmund, sensing blood, pushed for a fourth and found it through Nmecha in the 81st minute. The midfielder's long-range effort slipped through Drewes' hands, effectively sealing the victory for the home side.

Guirassy was key to the turnaround, with his first Dortmund brace. - IMAGO/Maximilian Koch

Guirassy's masterclass

Guirassy emerged as the undisputed MVP of the match, delivering a performance that epitomized Dortmund's resilience and attacking prowess. His two goals were crucial in turning the tide of the game, but it was his overall contribution that truly stood out. Guirassy's ability to hold up play, link with his teammates, and provide a constant threat in the box was instrumental in Dortmund's comeback. His first goal, a powerful header just before half-time, gave the team belief, while his second demonstrated his composure and finishing ability. With this brace, Guirassy has now scored 33 equalizing or go-ahead goals out of his 46 Bundesliga strikes, underlining his importance in crucial moments.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Dortmund 3.3472 - Bochum 1.4851
Fastest player: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), 36.18 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 4-2 by Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), 6 percent
Most pressed player: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Pascal Groß (Borussia Dortmund), +5.59

Fantasy Heroes: Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, 325 Points), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund, 260 Points), Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund, 247 Points)