Borussia Dortmund Defeats Sabah FK 2-1 in UEFA Champions League

Borussia Dortmund secured a 2-1 victory over Sabah FK during a UEFA Champions League match, snapping both a three-game winless run and a streak of four straight away defeats in the competition dating back to November 2025. Serhou Guirassy scored both goals for the visiting German side, helping them navigate a tough fixture against the Azerbaijani club.

The match started brightly for Dortmund, with Guirassy converting a chance in the 10th minute following build-up play from Fabio Silva and Carney Chukwuemeka. However, Sabah grew into the game and equalized before halftime when center-back Aden McCarthy found space between Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton to head in a free-kick from close range.

In the second half, Dortmund reclaimed the lead in the 53rd minute when Joey Veerman delivered a cross that Guirassy headed in for his fourth Champions League goal of the season. Despite dominating possession and key metrics such as expected goals and total shots, Dortmund failed to extend their lead, resulting in a tense finish.

Following the final whistle, the visiting team generated headlines for an unusual reason by leaving the Baku Olympic Stadium without taking showers. According to reports from the German outlet Bild, the delegation followed strict precautions advised by team officials and management regarding the stadium's water system.

Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač confirmed that the squad bypassed the locker room facilities to avoid potential health risks. "We were told that we should not do it in the stadium, but rather at the hotel. That is why we returned quickly," Kovač stated, noting that the team had also skipped showers at the venue following their training session the previous day.

German media pointed to preventive measures against potential bacterial concerns such as legionella in the water supply. To accommodate the players, the club arranged exclusive access to their hotel's spa area for recovery, though sporting director Ole Book offered an alternative lighthearted remark about the stadium's facilities, saying that the hotel showers were simply more attractive.

Local players expressed surprise at the decision. Sabah FK player Joy-Lance Mickels told Sky that he did not understand the visiting team's reluctance, stating that his team had used the same showers the previous week before playing Slavia Prague and found the water and facilities to be completely fine.