Three Takeaways from Borussia Dortmund’s triumphant 3-1 win over Shakthar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League

The Black and Yellows finally broke their winless streak, earning their first victory of the year, and qualifying for Champions League knockout playoffs.  

Borussia Dortmund v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8
Borussia Dortmund v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 | Daniel Kopatsch/GettyImages
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The importance of a win

Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Beier
Borussia Dortmund v FC Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 | Daniel Kopatsch/GettyImages

We don’t like to talk about mentality in Dortmund, but mentality is a real thing. This month, the BVB players have looked down, crestfallen, confused, angry with one another, and playing terrible football all the while. The losses add up and player confidence has been low. That’s not what I saw today.

That smile on Ramy Bensebaini’s face after his phenomenal, chipped goal says it all: these players needed a win just as much as the fans did. This win will inspire confidence, and perhaps that’s thanks to Mike Tullberg. Confidence is what this squad needs, and they should ride this momentum into the weekend. 

That’s not to say this match was perfect, however. Dortmund still couldn’t manage a clean sheet, but that’s only due to Gregor Kobel’s error. After that goal, Dortmund’s play became much more erratic and unstable; one error and the team looked like they might fall apart. But they didn’t. Instead, they saw out the match in mature fashion, and found a third goal to bury the game.