Borussia Dortmund suffer shock UEFA Champions League defeat away to Bologna

Borussia Dortmund conceded two second-half goals in two minutes to throw away an early lead away in Bologna as Nuri Şahin's side fell to a second consecutive UEFA Champions League defeat.

Bologna 2-1 Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Guirassy (pen. 14’), 1-1 Dallinga 72’ (assist: Odgaard), 2-1 Iling-Junior 73’

Beaten 3-2 away at Barcelona last time out, and in a rut domestically with three consecutive losses in the Bundesliga, Dortmund came to Bologna in the hope of getting their form back on track. They started brightly, with Waldemar Anton being brought down in the Bologna box, his shirt being held. Serhou Guirassy stepped up to take the penalty, coolly dispatching it with a chip down the middle. An early lead was seemingly exactly what Dortmund would’ve wanted before the start of the game, but it was Bologna who seemed lifted by the goal. The hosts dominated the possession and the chances for the remainder of the half, frequently testing Gregor Kobel, though they could find no way through. 

The second half started much the same as the first. Bologna were energetic, dominating possession and having the majority of the chances, but failing to properly test Kobel. That was until the hour mark, just after which both sides made doubles changes, but it was the hosts’ substitutions that would prove the difference. In the 72nd minute, Jens Odgaard, who had come on at half-time, squared the ball into the path of Thijs Dallinga, who had been on for less than 10 minutes, and finished confidently to level the scores. It went from bad to worse for Dortmund, however, as just one minute later, an Anton mistake at the back released Dallinga again, whose shot from close-range was parried to the unmarked Samuel Iling-Junior, who needed only to put the ball into an empty net to snatch the lead for Bologna. The hosts weren’t satisfied with their advantage though, as they continued to commit men forward after taking the lead. Dortmund couldn’t handle their intensity and themselves never looked as if they’d get back into the game. As a result, Dortmund slip to 13th in the table, suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in the competition this season.

Match stats

• Beaten finalists last season, Dortmund won eight of 13 Champions League fixtures across the 2024 calendar year (D1, L4).
• Since losing the 2012/13 final to Bayern Munich, BVB have reached the knockout rounds eight times out of 10.
• Guirassy has seven goals in this season’s Champions League. Only former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and teammate Raphinha have scored more (nine and eight).
• Four-goal Gittens is the second highest-scoring Englishman in the 2024/25 Champions League behind Bayern striker Harry Kane (five goals).
• Dortmund are playing Bologna for the first time. Their UEFA competition record against their 10 previous Italian opponents reads: W12, D7, L20.
• Bologna had faced a team from Germany only once before, drawing home and away to Vorwärts Berlin in the 1970/71 Cup Winners' Cup first round.

Teams

Bologna: Skorupski - Holm, Beukema, Lucumí (Casale 64’), Lykogiannis – Freuler (Odgaard 46’), Pobega (Moro 86’) – Orsolini (Iling-Junior 35’), Ferguson (c), Ndoye – Castro (Dallinga 64’)
Unused subs: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Posch, Erlić, Miranda, Fabbian, Urbański
Out: Cambiaghi (knee), El Azzouzi (knee), Aebischer (muscle)
Coach: Vincenzo Italiano

Dortmund: Kobel – Groß (Yan Couto 75‘), Anton, Schlotterbeck (c), Ryerson – Nmecha – Duranville (Adeyemi 64’), Reyna (Can 64’), Gittens – Beier, Guirassy (Brandt 75’)
Unused subs: Meyer, Lotka, Sabitzer, Campbell, Wätjen, Mané, Azhil, Kabar
Out: Bensebaini (suspended), Süle (ankle) 
Coach: Nuri Şahin

As it happened! 

2 - 1

(0 - 1)

Bologna

FINAL

Dortmund

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 7 League phase, Matchday 7 Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna

Full-time: Bologna 2-1 Dortmund

What drama here in Bologna! The second half continued much the same as the first; Bologna on top and dominating the ball, but they continued to struggle to test Kobel in goal. But their substitutes would prove to be the difference - Odgaard, who came on at half-time, teed up Dallinga, who came on after an hour, to level the scoring. Then, just one minute later, Bologna snatched the lead through Iling-Junior, who had come on in the first half to replace Orsolini. Even after taking the lead, they kept pushing for more and Dortmund never looked as though they'd get back into it, meaning Dortmund's poor recent form continues and Bologna have themselves their first ever UEFA Champions League victory.

© IMAGO/Massimo Paolone/LaPresse

90'

+ 3

Wide from Ndoye

The Swiss had the opportunity to seal the win for Bologna, but his left-footed attempt is lashed wide right of the Dortmund post from inside the BVB penalty area.

90'

+ 1

Five additional minutes

There are to be five minutes added on at the end of this half.

90'

Yellow card

Lewis Ferguson

90'

Foul for hosts

Ryerson goes into the back of Dallinga by the Dortmund corner flag, being awarded a yellow card as a result. Bologna take, trying to run the clock down, but Ferguson gives away a foul.

89'

Yellow card

Julian Ryerson

88'

Loose touch

Brandt is the target for BVB in the Bologna penalty area but his touch lets him down and the hosts can clear.

86'

Substitution

Nikola Moro

Tommaso Pobega

84'

Odgaard through

The substitute pounces on some sloppy Dortmund play at the back. He's through on goal down the left, but the angle is tight. He chooses to shoot instead of crossing it and Kobel makes a good save from point-blank range.

82'

Dortmund frustration

The visitors pick up two quickfire bookings for late challenges. They can't seem to get a hold of the ball at the moment.

82'

Yellow card

Yan Couto

81'

Yellow card

Karim Adeyemi

77'

Golden opportunity

It could've been three! Dallinga is played through in the middle. He plays it across to Odgaard, who has a one-on-one situation with Kobel, but his finish is wide of the post. It wouldn't have counted anyway as the assistant had his flag raised.

75'

Substitution

Yan Couto

Pascal Groß

75'

Substitution

Julian Brandt

Serhou Guirassy

73'

Bologna take the lead!

Two goals just like that for the hosts! Odgaard has the ball in an advanced position down the left again, but he's tackled by Anton. The centre-back then gives the ball away to Dallinga, who shoots again. Kobel saves, but only into the path of Iling-Junior, who finishes into an empty net.

73'

Samuel Iling-Junior

GOAL!

2:1

72'

Dallinga levels it!

Bologna have a goal in the Champions League! The substitutes Odgaard and Dallinga combine for it. Odgaard is played down the left, squaring a simple ball into the path of Dallinga, who finishes calmly.

72'

Thijs Dallinga

GOAL!

1:1

68'

Groß takes again

This time, it's from the other side. Guirassy rises highest with the keeper coming off his line to try to claim it, but his header lands on the roof of the net.

67'

Corner to Dortmund

Groß takes from the left. Bologna head behind for another corner.

65'

Double changes for both sides

Both managers look to the bench to try to change the outcome of this game. They make two changes each.

64'

Substitution

Emre Can

Giovanni Reyna

64'

Substitution

Karim Adeyemi

Julien Duranville

64'

Substitution

Thijs Dallinga

Santiago Castro

64'

Substitution

Nicolò Casale

Jhon Lucumí

62'

Free-kick

Groß takes from the right flank, but he can't beat the first man.

61'

Beier booked

The German forward sees yellow for an altercation with Castro before the free-kick can be taken.

61'

Yellow card

Maximilian Beier

60'

Booking

Lucumí receives a yellow card for a late challenge on Beier.

60'

Yellow card

Jhon Lucumí

58'

Sustained pressure

Bologna keep Dortmund pegged back. A cross into the middle finds Castro, who can't bring it down in time to get a shot off, before Ndoye heads over on the end of another cross.

57'

Guirassy down

The goalscorer clashes knees with the Bologna goalkeeper and stays down receiving treatment. He' back to his feet as he leaves the field temporarily for further treatment.

55'

Just over

Bologna advance down the left again. Ndoye plays it back for Lykogiannis, who hits a first-time cross in towards Odgaard. His glancing header lands on the roof of the net, but it wouldn't have counted anyway, as the referee blows for a foul on a BVB player in the middle.

52'

Bicycle kick attempt!

Lykogiannis crosses in from the left near the byline. He finds Ndoye in the middle, who, with his back to goal, attempts an overhead-kick, but his effort is off-target.

51'

Well defended

Gittens looks as though he may be clear down the left flank, but Holm rushes back to make a superb challenge.

49'

Ndoye fouled

The Swiss international draws a foul from Duranville near the left Dortmund corner flag. Ferguson takes, curling the ball in with his right, but Nmecha clears at the near post.

46'

Back underway!

Bologna get the ball rolling again here. They make one change at half-time: Freuler comes off for Odgaard. Dortmund are unchanged.

46'

Substitution

Jens Odgaard

Remo Freuler

Half-time: Bologna 0-1 Dortmund

Dortmund go into the break ahead, thanks to Guirassy's early penalty. After the goal went in, Bologna took the game by the scruff of its neck, dominating the ball and the chances, but as of yet, they haven't found a way past Kobel. Wide player Orsolini was a bright spark for the hosts, but a hamstring issue forced him off after half an hour.

© Alessandro Sabattini

45'

+ 1

Two additional minutes

There are to be two minutes added on at the end of this half.

45'

Too much on it

Anton plays a good ball over for Gittens, who would've been through on goal had he been alert to his position. As it is, the ball trickles behind for a goal-kick.

43'

Great delivery

Lykogiannis whips in a teasing delivery from deep on the left flank. He's looking for Holm, who arrives at the back post, but, even stretching, can't quite reach the ball.

41'

Another player down

Bologna are facing more troubles as Beukema is down receiving treatment. He leaves the field briefly, but he's back on now.

38'

Another corner

Anton slips at the back for the visitors, giving away a corner in the process. It comes in from the left, but Bologna can't make anything of it.

37'

Corner for Dortmund

Guirassy wins it down the right flank. Groß takes it quickly, looking for the run of Gittens, but they get it all wrong as Gittens fouls his marker in the box.

35'

Orsolini off

The winger has been at the heart of everything good that Bologna have done so far, but he leaves the field in the first half as he is unable to continue with what seems to be a hamstring issue.

35'

Substitution

Samuel Iling-Junior

Riccardo Orsolini

34'

Shot blocked

A promising-looking break opens up for the hosts. Freuler drives forward and plays it left to Ndoye, who cuts in and lets fly. His shot is blocked at source.

31'

Side-netting

Bologna youngster Castro has his first sniff of goal. A long ball over the top finds the Argentine, who takes it early, blasting the ball into the side-netting.

28'

And another one

Again, it comes in from the left and falls kindly for Orsolini, but this time, his effort is well over the bar.

27'

Another corner

This time it's an out-swinger from the left. It drops to Orsolini inside the box, who lashes a venomous volley goalwards, but Kobel is equal to it, tipping it wide for another corner. The hosts are all over Dortmund here.

26'

Over from Ferguson

Bologna are on the attack again. Orsolini crosses into Ferguson, whose shot is deflected over for a corner. Orsolini takes, but Dortmund clear.

24'

Speculative

Orsolini cuts in off the right flank and shoots with his left from well outside the box. His effort is well wide.

20'

Bologna scream for a penalty!

Orsonlini whips a ball in from the right flank, looking for Ndoye in the box. The Swiss international goes down and the Bologna players surround the referee. The penalty protests are waived away and Freuler is booked for dissent.

19'

Yellow card

Remo Freuler

18'

Bologna break

The hosts counter-attack quickly following Dortmund's unsuccessful corner. Ndoye plays a great ball in from the right, searching for Ferguson at the far post, but Duranville gets it clear with a fantastic intervention.

17'

Effort from Reyna

Dortmund have their tails up. Guirassy lays it off to the American, who hits a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Skorupski tips it over the bar for a corner, but Dortmund can't make anything of it.

14'

Guirassy converts!

Dortmund's number nine steps up to dispatch the penalty, sitting Skorupski down with a panenka. He got a hand to it, but it wasn't enough to keep it out.

14'

Serhou Guirassy

GOAL!

0:1

Penalty

13'

Penalty to Dortmund!

Ryerson takes the corner from the left, curling it in with his right. Anton goes down in the box, his shirt held by Holm and the referee points to the spot! Holm is booked for the challenge.

13'

Yellow card

Emil Holm

13'

Penalty!

Taker:

Serhou Guirassy

12'

Free-kick to Dortmund

Groß is the taker. He fizzes one in towards the back post from the right-hand side outside the box, but Skorupski tips it behind for a corner.

10'

Duranville down the flank

The young winger is enjoying himself down the right flank. He gets to the byline inside the 18-yard box and looks for a cutback, but his ball can't find a teammate and Bologna clear.

8'

First corner of the game...

...and it goes the way of the hosts. An in-swinger comes in from the left, aimed towards the back post, but Dortmund get it clear.

7'

Great chance!

Schlotterbeck plays a long ball up to Guirassy. The striker nods it down for Beier, who charges into the box, but, off-balance, he loses his footing just inside the box before he can shoot. Reyna pounces on the loose ball but his shot is from too tight an angle to trouble the keeper.

2'

Orsolini goes down

The winger goes to ground under challenge from Ryerson and the home fans scream for a foul, but the assistant referee had his flag raised for offside.

1'

And we're off!

Dortmund get the ball rolling here in Bologna.

More on those teams

Nuri Şahin makes three changes to his side that lost 2-0 away to Frankfurt at the weekend. Bensebaini misses out through serving a suspension, whilst Brandt and Can drop to the bench. In their places come Duranville, Reyna and Beier, as Şahin looks to add more attacking impetus. For Bologna there are five changes from their last outing (a 3-1 home win over Monza at the weekend): Skorupski, Holm, Lykogiannis, Pobega and Ndoye all come into the side.

© IMAGO/Moritz Mueller

Bologna starting XI

Skorupski - Holm, Beukema, Lucumí, Lykogiannis – Freuler, Pobega – Orsolini, Ferguson (c), Ndoye - Castro

Bologna subs

Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Posch, Erlić, Moro, Iling-Junior, Casale, Odgaard, Dallinga, Miranda, Fabbian, Urbański

Dortmund starting XI

Kobel – Groß, Anton, Schlotterbeck (c), Ryerson – Nmecha - Duranville, Reyna, Gittens – Beier, Guirassy

Dortmund subs

Meyer, Lotka, Yan Couto, Brandt, Sabitzer, Can, Adeyemi, Campbell, Wätjen, Mané, Azhil, Kabar

Danger man Gittens

Jamie Gittens has seven league goals this season; his previous best was three in 2022/23. The Dortmund winger has been in fine form in the Champions League too – scoring four in his previous three away trips. Can he be the difference once again for Şahin's struggling side?

© IMAGO/Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images

Schlotterbeck up for it

"It's another new stadium, which is always exciting. Every Champions League game is special and we have prepared for it well. Every player has to lead with their performance tomorrow; be 100% focused on the pitch."

© DFL/Getty Images/Lukas Schulze

Nuri Şahin on facing Bologna

"I watched Bologna a lot last year. It was a different type of analysis for us, as they are an interesting opponent. [They have] a lot of quality in midfield. We know what they can do. And we know what we want to do tomorrow."

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Florian Wiegan

Vincenzo Italiano on facing Borussia Dortmund

"Borussia are a very dangerous, strong team that plays good football. They’ve lost their last few matches in a dramatic fashion. They've made some adjustments to their system, but they often use attacking wingers, a striker, and a double pivot in midfield. I think they’ll line up in this way, but if they change, we’ll be ready to adapt. They're a team accustomed to this competition, so they're a high-level and valuable opponent, but we're ready to play our game."

© IMAGO/IPA Sport/ABACA

3:46

Gittens, Guirassy important

BVB can look to their attacking pair as they seek to advance their ambitions in the Champions League. Prior to the winter break, Serhou Guirassy and Jamie Gittens provided the collective spark for some of Dortmund's best moments of the campaign to date.

Bologna struggling

In contrast to BVB's Champions League form, Bologna have yet to post a win in the competition and have collected just two draws to date. The Italians - seventh in Serie A - did have top scorer Riccardo Orsolini on target again at the weekend, however, with the Rossoblù returning to winning ways on the domestic front thanks to a 3-1 victory against Monza.

© IMAGO/Massimo Paolone/LaPresse

Strong start

Dortmund burst out of the blocks in this season's UEFA Champions League, last season's runners-up posting four wins in their opening five games (only losing to holders Real Madrid) while scoring 16 goals. A loss against Barcelona on Matchday 6 left BVB outside of the automatic qualification places (9th) for the first time. Yet with games against Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk still to play, Die Schwarzgelben are still well set.

© IMAGO/Noah Wedel

2:03

Seeking inspiration

A last win on the road, and their first in the Bundesliga this season, just prior to the winter break might serve as a lesson BVB could follow as they head to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara this week. On that occasion, a free-flowing Black-and-Yellow team put Wolfsburg to the sword.

Big week for BVB

What Borussia supporters would give for a Champions League fillip this week and a trip to Bologna represents an opportunity for the Bundesliga team to put recent travails behind them. A run of three straight German top-flight losses is not how Nuri Şahin wanted his team to start the New Year, but pushing for automatic Champions League qualification might soothe some of the recent pain.

© IMAGO/Malte Ossowski/SVEN SIMON

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Borussia Dortmund's seventh UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase away at Bologna on Tuesday.

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