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Donyell Malen nets late winner as Borussia Dortmund get lucky against FC Köln

By Tushar Bahl

DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 19: Donyell Malen of Borussia Dortmund (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln at Signal Iduna Park on August 19, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 19: Donyell Malen of Borussia Dortmund (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln at Signal Iduna Park on August 19, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund will be counting their lucky stars after an 88th minute winner from Donyell Malen helped them earn an undeserved 1-0 win over FC Köln.

Borussia Dortmund began their Bundesliga campaign with a rather underwhelming performance but managed to get the three points at home against FC Köln. Donyell Malen’s 88th minute winner from close range helped the Black and Yellows come out on top despite being outplayed for much of the game.

Edin Terzic did not spring any major surprises with his starting XI, as Niklas Süle recovered to partner Mats Hummels at centre-back and Marco Reus filled in for Karim Adeyemi, who was able to return to the bench alongside Felix Nmecha.

Borussia Dortmund were left frustrated by Köln for much of the game
Borussia Dortmund were left frustrated by Köln for much of the game. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /

Borussia Dortmund enjoyed the majority of possession right from the start, but struggled to create any real openings over the course of the game. It was Köln who had the first real chance of the first-half, as Davie Selke’s shot was blocked onto the crossbar by Niklas Süle.

Julian Brandt had Borussia Dortmund’s best chance of the first-half, but his shot was parried away by Marvin Schwäbe. The away side’s dogged defending and intense pressing helped them keep the hosts at bay in the first-half, and the two teams went into the break with no goals to separate them.

Köln were beaten despite being the better side for much of the game. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Köln were beaten despite being the better side for much of the game. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /

Köln enjoyed a lively started to the second-half and caused Borussia Dortmund all sorts of problems after the break. Gregor Kobel had to be on full alert to prevent Sargis Adamyan from scoring on two occasions.

Edin Terzic made a double change in a bid to find the breakthrough, with Felix Nmecha and Youssoufa Moukoko coming on. It was the former who assisted the winning goal, with his flick-on header from a corner finding its way to Donyell Malen who turned the ball into the net from close range to give BVB the three points.

Donyell Malen came up with the winning goal for Borussia Dortmund
Donyell Malen came up with the winning goal for Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /

Next. Borussia Dortmund player ratings from unconvincing 1-0 win over FC Köln. dark

Despite the win, Borussia Dortmund’s performance certainly left a lot to be desired. And it also showed that BVB still have plenty of improving to do if they want to compete for the Bundesliga title this season.

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