Lazio and Dortmund win, Zenit down again

After the win against Dortmund, Lazio also won over Bologna on their own field. Borussia Dortmund also kept the three points at home, thanks to a smooth 3-0 win against Schalke 04. Zenit Saint Petersburg continued the line from against Club Brugge and lost again 1-2.

Lazio Roma - Bologna 2-1

Lazio Roma won 2-1 against Bologna and kept the three points at home for the first time this season. The visitors started with attacking intentions and were also able to score after 15 minutes, but after VAR intervention, the goal was disallowed. A serious warning for the Romans, who came into the game a little better after that. The home side still created goal danger through Alberto and Marušić, but both teams went to rest 0-0. In the second half, Lazio looked more emphatically for the opening goal, and in the 54th minute their attacking prowess was also rewarded. Luis Alberto kicked the leather from the middle of the penalty area high into goal and gave his team the lead. The visitors went in search of the equalizer, but Ciro Immobile doubled the home team's bonus with a crisp header. In injury time, Bologna scored the tying goal through De Silvestri, but the Romans held on. A good dress rehearsal for Lazio who travel to Bruges on Wednesday. (VM)

Lazio: Reina, Acerbi, Hoedt, Patric, Fares, Alberto (79' Pereira), Leiva (42' Escalante, 79' Parolo), Akpro, Marušić, Correa (64' Muriqi), Immobile.
Goals: 54' Alberto (1-0), 76' Immobile (2-0), 90+1' De Silvestri (2-1).

Borussia Dortmund - Schalke 3-0

It was to be seen how Dortmund would react after the rather surprising 3-1 defeat to Lazio Roma. Thomas Meunier was the only Belgian to start for Dortmund against Benito Raman's tormented Schalke 04. The home side immediately claimed the ball, but either the final pass failed or the finish was not good enough to outsmart goalkeeper Rønnow. Top scorer Haaland also lacked sharpness in the first half, although he was close on a few occasions. The visitors occasionally tried to get out of the box, although without success. 0-0 at halftime.

After the break Dortmund immediately stepped up a gear. The visitors came under even more pressure and it was only waiting for the opening goal. It was defender Akanji who finally broke the spell for the home side. Schalke struggled for a while, but minutes later Haaland brushed the ball with a lot of feeling over the visiting goalkeeper and the reassuring 2-0 score was on the scoreboard. Dortmund were now in complete control of the match and eventually it was central defender Hummels who provided the final score 3-0 with his head. This deserved victory keeps Dortmund level with Bayern Munich, just one point off leader RB Leipzig. (FDC)

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki, Hummels, Guerreiro, Akanji, Delaney, Meunier (80' Morey), Brandt (77' Reus), Dahoud (71' Witsel), Sancho (77' Hazard), Reyna (71' Passlack), Haaland.
Goals: 55' Akanji (1-0), 61' Haaland (2-0), 78' Hummels (3-0).

Zenit Saint Petersburg - Rubin Kazan 1-2

Zenit Saint-Petersburg could not recover after the defeat against Club Brugge. Coach Semak made hardly any changes to the team that lost to Blauw-Zwart on Tuesday against Rubin Kazan, although Brazilians Douglas Santos and Wendel were there this time. The home team started strongly and took the lead around the half-hour mark thanks to midfielder Erokhin. The visitors from Kazan were not discouraged and equalized before halftime through Despotovic. After the break, Zenit went in search of victory, but it was Rubin Kazan that was able to score again: Swiss Jevtic scored the 1-2. Semak immediately brought in three fresh forces and, moments later, Mostovoy as well, but they were unable to score. With this defeat, Zenit also lost the lead. It now trails Spartak Moscow by three points. (SF)

Zenit: Kerzhakov, Karavaev, Lovren, Rakitskiy, Douglas Santos, Ozdoev (70' Kuzyaev), Barrios (71' Krugovoy), Erokhin, Wendel (81' Mostovoy), Driussi (71' Sutormin), Dzyuba.
Goals: 26' Erokhin (1-0), 43' Despotovic (1-1), 69' Jevtic (1-2).