Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier scored as Borussia Dortmund beat 10-man Cologne 2-1 to keep their Bundesliga title hopes alive.
Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over 1. FC Köln at RheinEnergieStadion. Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring before Maximilian Beier doubled the advantage in the second half. Jakub Kaminski pulled a goal back late on to create a tense finish. However, Dortmund held on to secure three important Bundesliga points.
The result keeps Dortmund’s slim title hopes alive while strengthening their push for Champions League qualification.
Cologne began the match with real energy and nearly scored inside the opening minute. Isak Bergmann Johannesson had two quick efforts blocked in the area. Moments later, Youssoupha Niang forced a full-stretch save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. The early pressure pushed Dortmund onto the back foot.
Despite the lively start from the hosts, Dortmund gradually found their rhythm. The visitors began to control possession and looked more dangerous from set pieces.
Dortmund broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Serhou Guirassy. The striker reacted quickest after a defensive lapse inside the Cologne box. A half-cleared corner was headed back into the danger area by Maximilian Beier. Cologne defenders hesitated as Guirassy stayed onside and poked the ball past Marvin Schwabe.
The goal was Guirassy’s 12th league strike this season. It also continued his strong scoring form in Dortmund colours. Cologne attempted to respond but struggled to break down a disciplined Dortmund back line.
The turning point arrived late in the first half. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was shown a straight red card after a reckless challenge on Beier. Referee Daniel Siebert initially produced a yellow card. However, a VAR review upgraded the decision to a dismissal.
The red card left Cologne with ten men just before halftime. It handed Dortmund a clear advantage heading into the second period.
Dortmund capitalised on the numerical advantage early in the second half. Beier finished a flowing attacking move in the 60th minute. The German forward exchanged a quick one-two with Julian Brandt before calmly curling his shot into the bottom corner. The goal gave Dortmund a deserved cushion.
Dortmund nearly added a third when referee Siebert awarded a penalty for a challenge by Cenk Ozkacar. However, VAR overturned the decision after determining there was minimal contact.
Cologne refused to give up despite playing with ten men. Their persistence paid off in the 88th minute through Jakub Kaminski. Kaminski produced a strong run through the Dortmund defence before unleashing a powerful shot. The strike took a slight deflection and beat Kobel.
The goal created late tension inside RheinEnergieStadion. Dortmund remained composed and saw out the closing minutes to secure the victory.
Dortmund created the better chances throughout the contest. They produced 1.95 expected goals from 13 shots compared to Cologne’s 1.14 from 14 attempts. Beier delivered a standout performance with a goal and an assist. His movement consistently troubled Cologne’s defence.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck also impressed. He led the team in duels won, aerial battles and successful passes in the final third. Guirassy’s goal carried an extra milestone. The striker has now scored against every current Bundesliga club except Hamburger SV.
Dortmund remain third in the Bundesliga table with 55 points from 25 matches. They sit 11 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The result keeps their Champions League ambitions firmly on track.
Dortmund return to league action next weekend with another key fixture against Augsburg in the race for European qualification. Cologne will look to bounce back against Hamburg SV as they continue their battle against the drop.
