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Dortmund logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 4, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Galatasaray

4-1

Reus (40'), Papastathopoulos (54'), Immobile (74'), Kaya (86' og.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Balta (70')

Live Commentary: Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Galatasaray - as it happened

Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Group D meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray.
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Borussia Dortmund booked their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 4-1 victory over Galatasaray at Signal Iduna Park.

Goals either side of the break from Marco Reus and Sokratis Papastathopoulos handed the control to Dortmund, but Hakin Balta headed in to give Galatasaray hope of claiming a point.

However, Dortmund wrapped up an emphatic win thanks to Ciro Immobile's calm finish and an own goal from Semih Kaya.

Read below to find out how the events unfolded.


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Good evening everyone. The fourth round of fixtures is here, and by the end of the night we will know some of the teams that will be in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund are one of the sides that can book their spot. Galatasaray are the visitors to Signal Iduna Park tonight.

For Dortmund supporters, another night of Champions League action will come as a big relief. Jurgen Klopp's team are on a torrid run in the Bundesliga, but are looking to make it four wins out of four in Group D as they target what looks to be an inevitable place in the last 16 of the competition. Which Dortmund will we see tonight?

Galatasaray travel with their hopes of progressing hanging by a thread. Cesare Prandelli's side have been unable to find their top form in Europe, and have picked up just one point in their opening three games. The Turkish club suffered another emphatic defeat at the hands of Dortmund two weeks ago as they collapsed to a 4-0 loss in Istanbul.

In truth, it was barely a contest in Istanbul last month. Dortmund managed to forget about their domestic nightmares again as they dominated from start to finish on their way to a 4-0 triumph. Galatasaray offered very little resistance and their attack failed to make any impact at the other end. The visitors have to be more positive tonight.

It could be decided who qualifies from Group D tonight. As mentioned, Dortmund will be through if they win tonight and Arsenal could join them. The Gunners host Anderlecht at the Emirates Stadium, and will be assured of at least second place with a victory. Dortmund and Arsenal will then fight it out for top spot.

Galatasaray have to take confidence from Dortmund's poor form in the Bundesliga. Klopp's team have been fantastic in Europe, but the morale in the squad is sure to be at a low point. A 2-1 defeat to rivals Bayern Munich on Saturday extended their losing run in the league to five games and sent them into the relegation zone. It's quite astonishing to see such a talented team play so poorly. Can Galatasaray take advantage?

BORUSSIA DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Piszczek Subotic, Sokratis, Durm, Kehl, Bender, Mkhitaryan, Reus, Kagawa, Aubameyang

SUBSTITUTES: Langerak, Schmelzer, Ginter, Gündogan, Grosskreutz, Ramos, Immobile


Not too many surprises from Klopp with that team selection. The injury to Mats Hummels means that Neven Subotic will partner Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the centre of defence. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored twice in the reverse fixture, leads the Dortmund attack with support from Shinji Kagawa, Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Adrian Ramos, Ciro Immobile and Ilkay Gundogan are all on the bench.

GALATASARAY: Muslera, Tarık, Chedjou, Semih, Hakan Balta, Selçuk, Melo, Hamit, Sneijder, Dzemaili, Umut Bulut

SUBSTITUTES: Bolat, Bruma, Telles, Oztekin, Adin, Kurtulus, Yilmaz


Prandelli has given Umut Bulut the task of starting on his own up front after the forward came off the bench to hand Galatasaray a 2-1 victory over Kasimpasa on Friday night. His selection is likely to see Wesley Sneijder operate in an advanced attacking role. Felipe Melo has recovered from a thigh injury to start in midfield, but Goran Pandev misses out.

If Galatasaray are to snatch a win tonight, the performance of Sneijder will surely be key. The Dutch playmaker was kept quiet by the Dortmund midfielders in Istanbul last month, but he has to deliver for the visitors this evening. Prandelli has avoided the temptation to play two strikers, so how Sneijder links with Bulut could be crucial.

One statistic may have caught the eye of a few Dortmund supporters recently. The last time the club started a Champions League campaign with three victories was in the 1996/97 season. Dortmund went on to lift the trophy that season with a 3-1 victory over Zindeine Zidane's Juventus in Munich.


PREDICTION: Dortmund's domestic troubles should be enough to doubt their chances of continuing their impressive European form, but somehow Klopp's side seem to be able to produce their best in this competition. Galatasaray have to be better than they were in Istanbul, but I'm still going for a 3-1 Dortmund victory.

Before the game kicks off in just over 15 minutes, a quick reminder that you can follow live text coverage of every single Champions League game tonight. Click on the fixture in the live scores box to keep updated with all the action across Europe.

Sneijder has been singled out as a key man for Gala, but who will be most important for Dortmund this evening? You could pick out anyone in a side packed with creative talent. However, Aubameyang can make the difference this evening if he is at his best. The forward terrorised the Galatasaray defence with his pace in Istanbul, so he'll be confident of doing the same tonight. Even when Dortmund struggle, Aubameyang is a great outlet due to his ability to chase down lost causes.

The players have finished their warm-ups, and they'll be back out on the pitch in just a few moments. The ground is filling up quickly now. As always, we should be expecting a great atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park. Two of the loudest sets of supporters in Europe are in the ground tonight.

Here we go then. The players are on their way out of the tunnel in Dortmund. Kickoff is just under five minutes away. Remember, Dortmund are out to protect their 100% record tonight, while Galatasaray are hoping to stay in the competition with their first win of the group stage.

It will be Dortmund who get this game underway. Plenty of noise coming from the visiting supporters already. The hosts will be desperate to silence them as quickly as possible.

A sloppy pass from Subotic almost gets Dortmund into trouble early on, but they recover well and are only denied an early chance by Selcuk's vital tackle.

A Reus corner is cleared to the edge of the box, where Kagawa delivered the ball back to his teammate, who sends a wayward effort wide of the target from 25 yards. Good start from Dortmund.

Prandelli won't be enjoying what he is seeing at the moment. Galatasaray are finding it very difficult to clear their lines as Dortmund threaten with a couple of corners. Mkhitaryan, Kagawa and Reus are seeing plenty of the ball.

It's a very wet night in Dortmund, which should allow the players to pass the ball around very quickly on what looks like a brilliant surface. Galatasaray have penalty appeals waved away when Bulut goes down under pressure from Durm. It's a good decision from the referee.

Prandelli has clearly instructed his players to hit the longer ball when it is possible. Bulut is a yard offside as he collects a pass from Melo. There does seem to be plenty of space in the channels, but Gala will have to use it well to threaten the hosts.

Reus threatens to create a chance for himself with a clever run after cutting in off the left, but Chedjou steps in to make a good tackle in the box. Dortmund continue to look comfortable in possession.

Kagawa and Reus exchange passes on the edge of the box, but the move breaks down when the latter's ball drifts out of play. Galatasaray are looking a lot more solid at the back after barely putting up a fight in the reverse fixture. The first goal will be vital tonight.

Bender has committed a couple of fouls early on, and the referee makes it clear that the next one will result in a booking after he chops down Hakan Balta.

SHOT! Much better from the visitors as they step up the pace to get the ball to Dzemaili. His cross into the middle finds Sneijder, whose overhead kick is easily saved by Weidenfeller. Unfortunately for the Dutch playmaker, he couldn't get enough power on that effort.

A corner into the box creates plenty of problems for Dortmund, but Semih Kaya is unable to make contact with a wild swing 12 yards from goal. The break if on for the hosts. However, Aubameyang runs out of options and is forced to turn back for help.

Durm, who is not always a starter for Dortmund, has looked bright going forward from left-back in the early stages. Klopp's side enjoy a long spell in possession, but they're lacking a cutting edge at the moment as Gala retrieve the ball again.

Dortmund are looking slightly nervy at the back, which is probably to be expected from a side who have suffered so many defeats recently. Sneijder is beginning to find pockets of space to link with the Galatasaray midfielders. Kehl and Bender will have to stop that from happening too often.

CROSSBAR! More Dortmund pressure results in the home side winning a corner. The delivery from Reus is very good, but Papastathopoulos can only head against the crossbar from close range. Dortmund were inches away from the opener!

The hosts really should have taken the lead through Papastathopoulos, but that opportunity appears to have given them a boost. Kagawa cuts in off the left before delivering a cross which is too strong for Aubameyang at the back post. It's been pretty even in the opening 26 minutes.

There's been some poor football on show in the first half. Neither side have kept the ball very well in attacking areas. Aubameyang and Bulut have looked very isolated for their respective teams. Prandelli will be the happier of the two managers.

Reus, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan link up in a congested box, but there's not enough room for the latter to play in one of his teammates. If Galatasaray can be a bit more positive on the break, there is chances to get at this Dortmund defence.

SHOT! Best move of the game so far from Dortmund. Aubameyang holds up the ball well before finding Mkhitaryan, who invites pressure from a couple of defenders with a run across the edge of the box. His clever back heel sets up Kagawa, but a powerful strike drifts just wide of the post. Muslera wasn't sure where that shot would land.

Dortmund are starting to find another gear now. They've stepped up the pace and Gala are now struggling to pick up the runners off the ball.

CHANCE! Dortmund waste a big opportunity as a Reus corner reaches the back post, where Subotic can only volley over from a few yards out. That's a big let off for Galatasaray.

UPDATE: In tonight's other Group D game, Arsenal are on course for a vital win thanks to a Mikel Arteta penalty and another goal from the in-form Alexis Sanchez. The Gunners currently lead Anderlecht 2-0.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 GALATASARAY (REUS)

Dortmund break the deadlock! Piszczek makes the goal with an inch-perfect through ball to find the run of Reus, who beats the offside trap before slotting past Muslera with a brilliant first-time finish. Brilliant goal from the hosts.

Papastathopoulos is furious when he is penalised for a handball after he believed he was fouled by Bulut. Gala waste an opportunity from the free kick as Sneijder's delivery is cleared away by the hosts.

The pressure is on Galatasaray to change their approach slightly now. They've looked solid for long spells of the first half, but they need to be causing Dortmund more problems if they are to get back into this match.

A wild volleyed effort from Mkhitaryan sails over the crossbar from the edge of the box after Reus and Aubameyang had combined brilliantly to set up the chance. Worrying signs for the visiting defence.

YELLOW CARD! Selcuk picks up the first caution of the match after tripping Reus in the centre circle. Just one minute of added time to be played at the end of the first half.

HALF TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 GALATASARAY

There's no doubt that Galatasaray are performing much better than they did in the reverse fixture last month, but they trail to Dortmund once again. A fine finish from Reus has given the hosts control of this match and they are on the way to booking their spot in the knockout stage.

The challenge for Cesare Prandelli is a big one. Realistically, qualifying for the Europa League as a third-placed side may be their best hope, but this match is far from over. If Gala can level the game, Dortmund's recent poor form will be on their mind. They have to take more chances going forward to make sure Bulut is not left isolated.

Despite not quite hitting fifth gear in attack, Dortmund could have been further ahead had Papastathopoulos or Subotic taken their respective opportunities. Unfortunately, the defensive duo proved they do their best work at the other end by missing from close range.

BENCH WATCH: Prandelli may not be thinking about a change just yet, but when he does turn to the bench, Burak Yilmaz will surely be the obvious option. He does have a good goalscoring record, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him partner Bulut at some stage in the second half.

The players are back out on the pitch at Signal Iduna Park. No changes from either manager yet. Galatasaray will get the game back underway.

It's almost the perfect start to the second half for Dortmund as Kagawa plays a clever pass to Reus, whose low cross into the six-yard box is cleared away. The German then fires wide of the target with a poor effort from the edge of the box.

SHOT! Route one almost works for the visitors as a long ball forward is knocked down to Sneijder, whose speculative half-volley drifts just wide of the post with Weidenfeller looking beaten.

Papastathopoulos makes a crucial interception to keep out Bulut following a clever pass into the striker's path from Sneijder. Decent start to the second half from the visitors.

Poor from Durm on the left as he ignores the help from Reus to earn space, before hitting a dreadful cross out of play. Aubameyang has been given very little service tonight. It wouldn't be a shock to see him move out wide at some point.

Unfortunately, the game has had to be stopped for a few moments. A few flares have been thrown on the pitch by the visiting supporters. It's worth remembering that Galatasaray were punished for a similar incident at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season. Felipe Melo is pleading with the fans to stop, but the referee has halted the game to bring the players away from the area.

Amazing scenes. A few players are now talking to the supporters to prevent them from throwing more flares onto the pitch. It's stopped for now, and the referee is happy for the game to get back underway.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-0 GALATASARAY (PAPASTATHOPOULOS)

The delay caused by the Galatasaray supporters has not helped their team! The marking from the visitors is poor as Dortmund keep the move alive after a corner is cleared. Bender rises highest to win a header in the box. The loose ball falls to Papastathopoulos, who swivels in the six-yard box to fire home.

Is there a way back into this game for Galatasaray? Dortmund are surely into the knockout stage now. More space is beginning to become available for the likes of Reus and Kagawa, which is bad news for the visitors.

Good goalkeeping from Weidenfeller as he sprints off his line to clear under pressure from Dzemaili. Gala are just lacking that extra piece of quality in the final third of the pitch. Dortmund have not been at their best, but they've not needed to be tonight.

SUBSTITUTION: First change of the night from Klopp as Kagawa makes way for Gundogan, who is still working his way back to his best form after spending so long on the treatment table.

YELLOW CARD! Lovely footwork from Mkhitaryan as he evades a couple of challenges before being brought down by a combination of Balta and Melo. Balta picks up a yellow for his tackle from behind.

It's just not clicking in attack for Galatasaray. Prandelli will surely make changes very soon. We've seen very little of Bulut since the interval, while Sneijder has not seen much of the ball since firing just wide early in the second half.

Strange football from Galatasaray. They win a rare corner, but take it short and miss the opportunity to target the bigger players with a cross. Dortmund will be happy if that continues for the rest of the game.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-1 GALATASARAY (BALTA)

Never waste a corner! Galatasaray pull a goal back when Sneijder delivers a dangerous ball to the near post for Balta, who uses his space well to head past a helpless Prandelli. Can they snatch something from this game?

SUBSTITUTION: Klopp makes his second change by replacing Reus with Ciro Immobile, who will now lead the line. Aubameyang has moved out to the left wing.

Sneijder delivers another excellent corner, but Dortmund manage to clear on this occasion. Balta's goal was the first Dortmund have conceded in the Champions League this season. It looks like we're in for a dramatic finish.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 3-1 GALATASARAY (IMMOBILE)

Brilliant from Dortmund! A Galatasaray attack breaks down and the hosts quickly get onto the front foot when Kehl wins the ball in midfield. Aubameyang leads the counter on the left wing before chipping a ball to Immobile, who shrugs off a nudge from Balta to poke past Muslera. Great finish from the substitute. The win is surely in the bag for Dortmund.

UPDATE: It's been a very entertaining night in Group D. In London, Arsenal were 3-0 ahead, but Anderlecht have responded superbly to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finale for the home supporters.

Poor from Galatasaray as they move the ball from right to left well, before a promising move comes to an abrupt end when Dzemaili, who has been very quiet tonight, slices a cross out of play.

Papastathopoulos is enjoying a good night at both ends of the pitch. Sneijder finds a yard of space on the edge of the box and decides to target the bottom corner, but Papastathopoulos reacts quickly to make a vital block.

CHANCE! Decent opportunity for Aubameyang to make it 4-1 as he heads straight at Muslera from Mkhitaryan's inviting cross to the back post.

SUBSTITUTION: Yasin Oztekin, who played for Dortmund as a youngster, is introduced as a replacement for Altintop.

CHANCE! Chedjou saves his side from falling further behind. Immobile's cross to Aubameyang looks to be too weak, but the forward's pace allows him to beat Muslera to the ball. It looks like Aubameyang will tap in from close range until Chedjou arrives to make a brilliant tackle in the six-yard box.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes from both managers as Yilmaz comes on for Bulut, and Bender makes way for his Dortmund teammate Adrian Ramos.

GOAL! BORUSSIA DORTMUND 4-1 GALATASARAY (KAYA O.G)

Dortmund score four against Galatasaray again! A cross to the back post reaches Immobile, whose volley is helped into the net by Semih Kaya. The Gala defender wasn't sure where the ball was until it had beaten Muslera.

Awful scenes in the stands once again. Play is forced to be halted for a few moments when a flare is thrown into the Dortmund stand by the visiting supporters. The UEFA delegate talks with the referee before play can be resumed. Galatasaray will surely be punished again for the behaviour of their supporters tonight.

The fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes added on. Flares can still be heard being set off in the stands. Klopp is furious. He wants the match finished now due to what is happening in the stand.

Dortmund are just playing the ball around with very little pressure being applied by the visitors. In truth, it looks like everyone is keen to go home. Dzemaili picks up a yellow card for a blatant foul on Aubameyang.

Prandelli and Klopp share a hug on the sidelines ahead of the final whistle. Dortmund are holding firm at the back as Galatasaray struggle to find the space in the final third of the pitch.

FULL TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 4-1 GALATASARAY

It's all over at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund have recorded another comfortable win over Galatasaray to book their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Unfortunately, the behaviour of the visiting supporters may steal some of the headlines.

Thanks for joining me for our live coverage of this match. There will be analysis and reaction on the way from every Champions League game tonight. Goodnight everyone.

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Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp during the friendly with Liverpool on August 10, 2014
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