Dortmund weather Auxerre storm

BV Borussia Dortmund 2-1 AJ Auxerre
BV Borussia Dortmund claimed their first win of the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League season, but they had substitute Marcio Amoroso to thank for their 2-1 success against Group C rivals AJ Auxerre at the Westfalenstadion.

Terrific finish
With his side seemingly about to buckle under pressure from their French opponents, the Brazilian striker - who missed most of last season through injury - chased a Lars Ricken ball into the Auxerre area on 78 minutes, rounded goalkeeper Fabien Cool and finished from a tight angle to make it 2-0.

Sensational start
Some would argue that the home side never should have been under any pressure after a sensational opening to the first half. Ewerthon made an excellent run in the first minute, exchanged passes with strike partner Jan Koller and raced through on goal only to see his shot charged down by Cool. Evanilson then attempted a long-range shot with Cool grounded, but Jean-Alain Boumsong made a vital clearance off the line to save his side.

Defensive error
The pressure from the home side continued, and Dortmund were ahead after six minutes as Johan Radet was hounded into making a mistake by Jörg Heinrich, who collected the ball near the touchline before laying it across for Koller who shot past Cool from barely five metres.

Kapo shoots wide
At that point it looked like the German champions could score at will but, as they dropped back to defend their lead, Auxerre began to carve out half-chances. After 18 minutes the powerful Olivier Kapo broke into the Dortmund area only to shoot wide under pressure from Christian Wörns.

Lachuer off target
After 33 minutes, Kapo caused problems again, feeding the ball to strike partner Benjamin Mwaruwari. With Dortmund defenders in pursuit, the striker laid the ball off for captain Yann Lachuer, whose shot was charged down by the ever-observant Wörns.

Auxerre in control
Auxerre could have made their opponents pay for their lack of killer instinct in the second half. Kapo, Mwaruwari and Khalilou Fadiga all pressed for an equaliser in the early stages, but the final ball to unlock the increasingly nervous-looking Dortmund defence never quite arrived.

Back in the hunt
The visitors were left to curse their luck as Amoroso stole away to score his side's second goal 12 minutes from time. Yet Auxerre were back in the hunt five minutes later as Mwaruwari tapped the ball into the net from close range after Dortmund goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was beaten by a Teemu Tainio shot which rebounded back into play off a post.

The last word
The game continued at the same furious pace in the closing minutes, with Auxerre pushing hard for an equaliser, but in the end it was Amoroso who came closest to scoring another. Deep into added time, he broke through for a one-on-one against Cool, but this time the goalkeeper had the better of it, making a fine stop at his feet.