Berlin, Feb 19 (IANS) Dortmund secured a 2-0 first-leg victory against FC Porto thanks to the goals by Lukasz Piszczek and Marco Reus, at the round of the last 32 in UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
The “BVB” controlled the proceedings on the pitch over 90 minutes to work out a solid foundation for the second leg as the visitors from Portugal lacked in urgency and ideas to threaten the hosts, Xinhua news agency reported.
Thomas Tuchel’s men caught a perfect start at outsold Signal-Iduna-Park as defender Lukasz Piszczek headed home his own rebound from close range, following corner kick to the near post by Henrik Mkhitrayan in the sixth minute.
It is Piszczek’s first goal in the Europa League since September 2009 when he scored his last goal in the dress of Hertha Berlin.
The hosts continued to control the ball and should have added the second goal but neither Marco Reus nor Shinji Kagawa were able to slot in promising chances.
Meanwhile, FC Porto remained uninspired and failed to pose any threat to Dortmund’s well-organised defence in the first half.
After the restart, Borussia Dortmund started where they left off and pressed the visitors into the defence. As a consequence, Silvestre Varela cleared Marco Reus’ cross almost into the wrong goal but goalkeeper Ilker Casillas avoided the two-goal lead.
However, Casillas was hapless moments later as Marco Reus put the result beyond doubt after completing a combination via Henrikh Mkhitaryan from inside the box into the bottom right in the 71st minute.
Dortmund kept it bowling but failed to turn their chances into a tangible reward. Shinji Kagawa’s low-shot got defused by Ilker Casillas before Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s header rattled the woodwork from 15 meters.
“BVB” goalie Roman Buerki had little to do for most of the time but he was on guard in the closing period as FC Porto substitute Hyun-Jun Suk came close to reduce the arrears. Dortmund kept a clean sheet, and take a 2-0 advantage into the second leg at Porto on February 25.
