In the seventh matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage, Borussia Dortmund suffered a 1-2 defeat away to FC Bologna, Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost 1-2 to Atletico Madrid, and VfB Stuttgart secured a 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava.
Dortmund, still reeling from recent Bundesliga setbacks, seemed relieved to take the lead in the 15th minute. After a foul by Holm on Anton, Guirassy converted the resulting penalty with a header in the net. The Italians, however, dominated the rest of the game, and the BVB was fortunate that the lead held until the break. Even in the second half, the black and yellow’s offensive efforts were modest, but Bologna failed to capitalize on their chances for a long time.
In the 71st minute, the game turned in favor of the visitors: Lykogiannis’ long ball found Odgard, who only had to pass to Dallinga, who slotted in easily. A minute later, the hosts had the game wrapped up: Dallinga’s shot was parried by Kobel after Anton’s mistake, and Iling-Jr. remained calm to score. Bologna could have added more goals, but ultimately won 2-1.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen played dominantly in Madrid, taking the lead in the 26th minute after a penalty awarded for a Barrios’ foul on Mukiele. The Werkself continued to press, and Hincapie’s header in the first-half stoppage time deservedly gave them the halftime lead.
Atletico, however, equalized in the 52nd minute through Alvarez, who was set up by a beautiful Griezmann pass. Leverkusen’s second half was less convincing, and after Hincapie’s red card in the 76th minute, the visitors had to play with ten men. In the dying minutes, Correa’s assist to Alvarez, who beat Kovac and scored from a sharp angle, sealed the win for Atletico.
Stuttgart, on the other hand, delivered a spotless performance in Bratislava. Leweling’s opener in the 11th minute, set up by a fine Undav pass, was followed by a Leweling goal in the 38th minute, after a Millot shot was parried and the rebound found the striker. The Slovaks were overwhelmed and could only be grateful that the VfB missed numerous chances in both halves.
Bratislava did manage to pull one back in the 85th minute, through Barseghyan, but Rieder’s response in the 87th minute, after a Mittelstadt pass, sealed the 3-1 win for Stuttgart.
The current standings in the Champions League group stage see Dortmund in 13th place, Leverkusen in sixth, and Stuttgart in 21st.