Serhou Guirassy saved BVB. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Weak Dortmund continue to tremble in the cup

Borussia Dortmund struggled to advance in the DFB Cup and only narrowly avoided elimination in the Revierderby against Rot-Weiss Essen.

August 18, 2025

From: dpa

Coach Niko Kovac's team won 1-0 against the third division team that evening and had to thank goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for his outstanding performance.

In front of 19.300 spectators at the Hafenstrasse stadium, alongside goal-scoring giant Kobel, the match-winner was Serhou Guirassy. The striker sealed the emotional derby with a crisp finish into the far corner in the 79th minute. Despite progressing, BVB presented an alarming picture just days before the start of the new Bundesliga season.

For a long time, the differences between the third-division side with a squad valued at seven million euros and the star-studded Champions League club were indistinguishable. The strong Ramien Safi broke through at speed several times and sprinted solo toward the BVB goal. Waldemar Anton made one desperate save (23'), and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made another excellent save (41').

Kobel roars, Guirassy scores

The goalkeeper not only prevented a goal several times, but also yelled loudly at his teammates. A good six weeks after their respectable performance in the Club World Cup exit against Real Madrid, the internationally ambitious BVB were barely recognizable – they were threatening a first-round embarrassment the club had last experienced in August 2005 at Eintracht Braunschweig.

Serhou Guirassy scored in the 79th minute to give BVB the win. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Kovac initially didn't react during the break. Bellingham and Brandt warmed up, but didn't enter the game until just over an hour later. And Essen sensed their opportunity. "We're not the favorites – but we're ready to give it our all," the fans wrote on a banner, and the players lived up to it.

With the double substitution, Kovac also changed the formation, with the previously indifferent Serhou Guirassy now the lone striker. Shortly afterward, Guirassy was brought down in the penalty area, but the brief contact was far too little for referee Frank Willenborg. A powerfully struck free kick from Brandt (70') landed in the side netting. Guirassy put BVB on the road to victory with a crisp shot, making it 1-0. In stoppage time, the struggling hosts once again approached the BVB goal, but Kobel saved a shot from Tom Moustier.