Lazio mark Champions League return with win over Borussia Dortmund
ByReuters
Published 20/10/2020 at 21:54 GMT
Dortmund's Norway striker Erling Haaland kept up his prolific Champions League scoring form but it was Lazio and Ciro Immobile who took the headlines on their return to the tournament.
Lazio-Borussia Dortmund Champions League 2020-21
Image credit: Getty Images
Lazio's Ciro Immobile scored against his former club Borussia Dortmund in a 3-1 home victory marking their return to the Champions League group phase after a 13-year absence on Tuesday.
Their second strike was credited as an own goal by keeper Marwin Hitz while substitute Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro got the third as the Italians shrugged off poor form in the new Serie A season to secure a winning start to their Group F campaign.
Dortmund's Norway striker Erling Haaland kept up his prolific Champions League scoring form with a second-half goal to make it 2-1 but that was the German club's only consolation.
Immobile, who played for Dortmund in the 2014-15 season, gave Lazio an early lead after their pressing secured the possession from the visitors' new signing Thomas Meunier.
That allowed Joaquin Correa to steal a pass through to Immobile, who scored from close range in the sixth minute.
It was the fifth Champions League goal for the 30-year-old Italian international, the four previous efforts having been netted in Dortmund colours.
"It was an emotional night, playing Champions League football after so many years. We had a perfect match, we’re happy. Dortmund are a great side, we needed a great performance," Immobile said.
Lazio’s lead was doubled in the 23rd minute when Luiz Felipe, returning from injury, attacked a corner and got a glancing touch with his head to steer the ball towards goal and it hit the face of Hitz as it flew into the ent.
Dortmund had few opportunities to force a first-half chance but after the break they were more attacking as Haaland began to power his way through the home defence and look dangerous.
He eventually pulled back a goal in the 71st minute with a powerful left-foot finish from a square pass delivered by American teenage substitute Gio Reyna. Haaland now has 11 goals in nine appearances in the competition.
But just as Dortmund went in search of parity, a quick counter attack saw Immobile set up substitute Akpa-Akpro to restore Lazio’s two-goal advantage five minutes later.
Lazio’s win contrasted to their domestic form where they have collected one point from their last three Serie A outings.
Earlier on Tuesday, Belgium’s Club Brugge snatched a stoppage-time winner to beat Zenit St Petersburg 2-1 in Russia in their opener in the group.
Next Wednesday Lazio visit Brugge while Dortmund host Zenit.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article