FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Club Brugge v Borussia Dortmund - Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium - September 18, 2024 Borussia Dortmund players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
(Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund rode their luck in a 3-0 Champions League victory at Belgian side Club Brugge on Wednesday, where all their goals came in the final 14 minutes after their hosts had spurned several chances.
Brugge were the better side for much of the contest but Jamie Gittens’s brace and a penalty from Serhou Guirassy sealed victory for the visitors and left their hosts frustrated.
"It wasn’t a top performance but we took the win," Dortmund captain Emre Can admitted as his coach Nuri Sahin hailed his side's resilience.
"It was important to start with an away win against a tough opponent. It was a good, attacking match from both teams. In the end, with the changes we had, I think we deserved to win," Sahin said.
Midfielder Julian Brandt praised substitutes Gittens and Guirassy for their impact off the bench which turned the contest in the team’s favour.
"It was tough in the first half. We ran a lot," Brandt told DAZN. "It was a lot of work and a lot of attrition. At the end you could see that the spaces were getting bigger.
"It's a good thing that the bench scores the goals. Once again the substitutes decided the game."
Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet rued his side’s profligacy in front of goal when the score was level at 0-0.
"That's the Champions League," he said. "Our performance was very good. If we score the first ourselves, the scenario is ideal. But they did that and then you get an exaggerated scoreline.
"The difference is the squad depth of Dortmund. What they have on the bench... after a gruelling match, it is not easy against someone (like Gittens) who comes fresh from the bench.
"We can be very satisfied with our match. The football was very good and we created chances. We just have to seize our moments. Then we could even win."
(Reporting by Nick Said; editing by Clare Fallon)
