Borussia Dortmund lost the charity match against Dynamo Kiev with 2:3. More important than the result, however, was undoubtedly the symbolic significance of the match.
The sporting and footballing aspects took a back seat in front of the 35,000 spectators at the Signal-Iduna-Park. The money raised – 400,000 euros in the end – is to go to various projects for the benefit of Ukraine.
Three days after the defeat in the top match against FC Bayern, Marco Rose relied on a mixture of regulars and youngsters, so on the one hand greats like Reus and Haaland started, but on the other hand also Bynoe-Gittens, Semic, Pherai or Taz, who have so far been used more often in the 3rd league or the U 19. Among others, 20-year-old Alan Aussi, who fled from Ukraine to the Ruhr area two months ago and has since been training with BVB’s second team, sat on the bench.
Dynamo Kiev, coached by Romanian Mircea Lucescu, had eight current Ukrainian internationals in the starting line-up.
For the reigning Ukrainian champions, the match at BVB was, despite all the charitable background, also a sporting test of endurance, as the players have naturally lacked match practice for the important encounters with the Ukrainian national team since the beginning of the war.
High-scoring opener – Aussi come on after half an hour
Following that, the visitors, who were frenetically celebrated by the numerous Ukrainian fans in the stadium, had a noticeably greater will to prove themselves in sporting terms.
Nevertheless, BVB took an early lead through youngster Bynoe-Gittens (4th), but Kiev quickly turned the game around through a dream goal by Buyalksyi (9th) and a positional error that allowed Vanat to score (11th).
After that, Dynamo were the better team and after Shapalenko missed the 1:3 from the point against Hitz (17.), Vanat did better again before the break and scored for the second time this evening (35.). Moukoko and Aussi had already come into the game after half an hour for Haaland and Akanji.
At the break, both coaches made lively changes, with BVB giving more players from the second row a chance, including keeper Unbehaun and Rothe or Fink. The latter took a penalty shortly after the restart, but Reinier failed to score against Bushchan (54th).
Rothe scores again – Also a success off the pitch
Overall, Dortmund’s second line looked a bit more active and dominated the second period, without really shining in terms of play. Nevertheless, the goal by Rothe after a corner was deserved (65th), Moukoko (66th) and again Rothe (69th) even had the equaliser on their feet (Moukoko) and head (Rothe).
There were plenty of chances on both sides in the final phase, but in the end it remained the Ukrainians’ victory. Apart from the sporting aspects, however, the event will be regarded as a success by both sides, and Hans-Joachim Watzke’s desired sum of 400,000 euros was achieved.
The charity trip continues for Kiev, in the last few days and weeks the Ukrainians have already been on the road in Warsaw, Istanbul and Cluj, followed in two days by the game at Dinamo Zagreb (6pm). BVB will face VfL Bochum in the league on Saturday (3.30 pm).