Giannis Konstantelias on target as 10-man Dortmund defeat Hamburg
Serhou Guirassy and Giannis Konstantelias got the goals as Borussia Dortmund started the new Bundesliga season with a 2-0 win over Hamburg, despite Samuele Inácio's red card.
Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hamburg
Goals: 1-0 Guirassy 9’ (assist: Karetsas), 2-0 Konstantelias 45’+1 (assist: Beier)
Red card: Inácio 77’
Ahead of kick-off there was a minute's tribute to former Dortmund captain Wolfgang Paul, who recently passed away. The famous BVB anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was then heard for the first time at the Westfalenstadion this Bundesliga season as Dortmund, in their familiar yellow and black, kicked off against Hamburg, who lined up in blue and white.
Guirassy strikes early
Dortmund set the tone immediately with intense pressing that gave Hamburg little time on the ball. After Felix Nmecha had gone close from distance, the hosts broke the deadlock in the ninth minute: Konstantinos Karetsas and Guirassy combined through the middle before the latter slotted home from inside the box to make it 1-0.
Konstantelias doubles the lead
Dortmund continued to dominate, with Maximilian Beier and Karetsas both testing Daniel Heuer Fernandes, while Hamburg barely ventured forward. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Beier's pass down the left found Konstantelias, who cut inside and saw his shot deflect in off Sebastiaan Bornauw for 2-0, giving the summer signing his first Bundesliga goal on his full debut.
Hamburg improve after the break
Hamburg came out with more purpose in the second half. Albert Grønbæk forced a smart save from Gregor Kobel and Patson Daka struck the outside of the post after good work from Louis Lemke. Konstantelias, however, had to be replaced by Marcel Sabitzer after appearing to injure his knee in a challenge.
Dortmund made a triple change on 74 minutes, bringing on Samuele Inácio among others. Barely three minutes later, Inácio was shown a straight red card for a high, late tackle on Grønbæk. Hamburg pushed for a way back into the game with the extra man, with Grønbæk and Albert Sambi Lokonga both going close, but Dortmund held firm to see out the win.
Man of the Match: Konstantinos Karetsas
Karetsas was central to almost every Dortmund attack, setting up Guirassy's opening goal and registering six shots, the most of any player on the pitch. He also created several other chances before being substituted, and was voted Man of the Match with 36 per cent of the fan vote.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Borussia Dortmund 1.36 - Hamburger SV 0.71
Fastest player: Joane Gadou (Dortmund), 34.18 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Serhou Guirassy (Dortmund), 8 per cent
Pass efficiency: Joey Veerman (Dortmund), +1.12
Fantasy Heroes: Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund, 274 Points), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, 267 Points), Giannis Konstantelias (Borussia Dortmund, 224 Points)
