European opponents can't win either

Like Club Brugge itself, Blauw-Zwart's European opponents also failed to win this weekend. Zenit did not get beyond a 0-0 draw against Arsenal Tula, while both Borussia Dortmund and Lazio Roma both suffered home defeats.

Arsenal Tula - Zenit 0-0

Zenit Saint Petersburg did not get beyond a 0-0 draw at Arsenal Tula's pitch on the 16th match day in the Russian Premier League. Zenit had a good chance to take the lead after just a few minutes, but an effort by Dzyuba was swept away just before the goal line by a home defender. Then a header by Erokhin went over goal, while left back Zhirkov twice failed to frame his attempts. Arsenal Tula was able to counter a few times, but the best chance fell shortly before halftime. Dzyuba singled out Barrios alone in front of goal, but the midfielder kicked the leather wide. After the break the best chance was for Dzyuba, but the Russian striker could not score, so it remained 0-0. Despite the points loss, coach Semak's team is in the lead. It joins CSKA Moscow, which itself went down against Rubin Kazan. (SF)

Zenit: Kerzhakov, Sutormin, Prokhin, Chistyakov, Zhirkov (75' Mostovoy), Kuzyaev, Barrios, Erokhin (62' Azmoun), Malcom, Dzyuba (90' Shamkin), Driussi (75' Musaev).
Goals: none

Borussia Dortmund - FC Köln 1-2

Borussia Dortmund went down at home against FC Köln on Saturday. The visitors led by two goals, but Hazard's tying goal in the second half could not turn the tide. At Dortmund, our compatriots Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier started in the starting lineup. The first danger came from the home side: Sancho aimed straight at the crossbar in the penalty area. At the other end, the visitors did hit the target. Ellyes Skhiri worked a corner kick at the far post into goal. Dortmund had to chase and luck was not with them either. Norwegian striker Haaland's aim was not perfect, as he kicked a fine chance wide of goal. Moments later, a header goal by Hummels was disallowed, deservedly offside by the way. After an hour of play, FC Köln doubled the score. It was again Ellyes Skhiri who was able to score on a corner kick. The midfielder was left alone at the far post and kicked the 0-2 into goal.

That was the signal for coach Lucien Favre to intervene. He immediately brought three new players onto the field and that immediately paid off. On a Reyna pass, substitute Thorgan Hazard scored the tying goal. The Red Devil kicked the ball into the far corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. Hummels had several more chances after that, but more than that connecting goal was not in the cards for Dortmund. With this third loss of the season, Borussia drops to fourth place in the standings and sees leader Bayern further out. (KN)

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki, Passlack (68' Reyna), Hummels, Akanji, Meunier (61' Hazard), Can, Witsel, Sancho, Reus, Brandt (67' Moukoko), Haaland.
Goals: 9' 60' Skhiri (0-1, 0-2), 74' Hazard (1-2)

Lazio Roma - Udinese 1-3

Lazio lost 1-3 at home to Udinese, taking the three points on the road for the first time this season. However, the first goal threat came from the Romans, but Cataldi's shot was unsuccessful. At the other end of the pitch, Arslan kicked the visitors into the lead after the opening quarter. Udinese looked emphatically for a second goal in the first half, but saw its goal attempts parried each time by the home defense. In the closing seconds of the first half, the Argentine Pussetto kicked the 0-2 past goalkeeper Strakosha, giving the visitors a double bonus.

Lazio came out of the locker room motivated and resolutely went for the tying goal. The home team was dangerous through shots from Alberto, Leiva, Correa and Immobile, but their efficiency was lacking. In the 70th minute, Pussetto was able to immediately cash in on Udinese's first goal opportunity after halftime, giving the visitors a 0-3 lead. A few minutes later, Immobile was able to ease to 1-3 from the penalty spot, but Simone Inzaghi's team failed to get any closer at the Stadio Olimpico. So not a good dress rehearsal for Lazio, which travels to Dortmund on Wednesday. (VM)

Lazio: Strakosha, Radu, Acerbi, Patric (76' Pereira), Fares (46' Marušić), Alberto (63' Caicedo), Cataldi (46' Leiva), Parolo (46' Akpa Akpro), Lazzari, Immobile, Correa.
Goals: 18' Arslan (0-1), 45'+3 Pussetto (0-2), 71' Forestieri (0-3), 74' Immobile (1-3, penalty).