Guirassy brace sends Dortmund to play-off round
Borussia Dortmund put the brakes on a five-match winless run in all competitions to beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 at home in the Champions League, securing a play-off spot.
The match itself was a relatively comfortable affair for manager-less Dortmund, with Serhou Guirassy scoring a first-half brace to take away any potential nerviness.
The opening goal came in the 17th minute, with Karim Adeyemi's shot being deflected into Guirassy's path and into the goal. The Guinean striker had his and Dortmund's second just before half-time after being slipped in by Julian Brandt before finishing confidently.
Early in the second half, Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel got the visitors back into things with a dreadful error. The Swiss stopper took too much time in possession and was tackled by Marlon Gomes, who managed to squeeze the ball in.
But any hopes of an equaliser were dashed when Remy Bensebaini restored Dortmund's two-goal lead with 11 minutes to go to wrap up the three points.
The victory ensures that Dortmund finished 10th in the Champions League table, meaning it will face either Club Brugge or Sporting in the play-off round. Shakhtar, meanwhile, is eliminated after finishing 27th.
