Overview
- Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring and set up Maximilian Beier as Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-0 first-leg win over Atalanta in the Champions League play-off.
- After his goal, Guirassy lifted his shirt to reveal a handwritten message honoring his niece and later said the message was meant for his brother.
- Head coach Niko Kovac said he was unaware of the family bereavement before kickoff and praised Guirassy’s pressing, hold-up play and influence on the second goal.
- Sporting director Sebastian Kehl lauded the forward’s resurgence, with Guirassy now at five Bundesliga goals in his last three league games plus Tuesday’s European strike.
- The return leg in Italy next week will decide a place in the round of 16, and separate reports suggest Guirassy plans post-season talks with the club about his future.