Borussia Dortmund have taken a crucial step towards securing their place in the Europa League group stages. Thomas Tuchel’s men came out on top 1-0 against Wolfsberger AC in a measured performance in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round, giving themselves a good chance of progressing to the play-offs ahead of the return leg next Thursday in Dortmund. Jonas Hofmann’s goal in the opening phases was the difference between the sides.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made BVB’s intent clear early on, but his header went narrowly wide. Rapid turnaround play, led by Aubameyang’s pass to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, eventually gave Dortmund a deserved lead with 23-year-old Hofmann tapping in from close range. The guests remained dangerous after the opener and solid at the back.
The German side survived a period of late pressure from Wolfsberger in the latter stages of the second half to claim a first-leg win.
Should BVB prevail over the two legs, they will qualify for the play-offs, where they will have to triumph again to make it through to the group stages. The draw for the play-offs takes place on 7th August in Nyon.
Borussia Dortmund have taken a crucial step towards securing their place in the Europa League group stages. Thomas Tuchel’s men came out on top 1-0 against Wolfsberger AC in a measured performance in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round, giving themselves a good chance of progressing to the play-offs ahead of the return leg next Thursday in Dortmund. Jonas Hofmann’s goal in the opening phases was the difference between the sides.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made BVB’s intent clear early on, but his header went narrowly wide. Rapid turnaround play, led by Aubameyang’s pass to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, eventually gave Dortmund a deserved lead with 23-year-old Hofmann tapping in from close range. The guests remained dangerous after the opener and solid at the back.
The German side survived a period of late pressure from Wolfsberger in the latter stages of the second half to claim a first-leg win.
Should BVB prevail over the two legs, they will qualify for the play-offs, where they will have to triumph again to make it through to the group stages. The draw for the play-offs takes place on 7th August in Nyon.
