Koller power torments Lokomotiv

By Manfred Christoph

BV Borussia Dortmund recorded a comfortable 3-0 win against FC Lokomotiv Moskva last night to maintain their hopes of UEFA Champions League progress - and it was towering Czech striker Jan Koller who made the difference between the sides.

MATCH ANALYSIS 
Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer sent his team out in a 4-3-3 formation, with Brazilian striker Marcio Amoroso occupying a front-running role, while his Lokomotiv counterpart, Yuri Semin, opted for a 4-5-1 lineup.

Midfield initiative 
Lokomotiv soon surrendered the midfield initiative to Dortmund, and the German champions built their attacks patiently from defence. A key element of Dortmund's play was to try and open up the visitors' defence with crosses from the flanks aimed for Koller, a constant threat with his height and strength.

Crucial corners 
Dortmund kept switching the ball from one wing to the other in an attempt to find the breakthrough, but their concentration let them down at vital moments. Consequently, their best chances came from set-pieces. From Dortmund's first corner, Sebastian Kehl struck the woodwork from 18 metres; from the third, the hosts took the lead - Torsten Frings finding the target from 20 metres, giving goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov no chance.

Early change 
After 20 minutes, Dortmund's Brazilian defender Dede limped off with an ankle injury, forcing Sammer into a reshuffle. Ahmed Madouni came on to take over a central defensive position, with Christoph Metzelder moving out to the left flank. The change proved to be positive as Metzelder increased the pressure on the visitors with his pace in joining attacks.

Short-lived flurry 
Lokomotiv did not manage a shot on goal in the first half. After the break, however, Semin brought on Julio Cesar who immediately caused confusion in the Dortmund back-line. Marat Izmailov had a wicked shot tipped over the bar by Dortmund keeper Jens Lehmann, but the visitors' flurry was short-lived. In fact, the sturdy Koller and tricky Amoroso had put Dortmund well out of sight by the end of the game.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

KEY PLAYER: Jan Koller (BV Borussia Dortmund)
Koller was a thorn in Lokomotiv's side, particularly after the interval. He kept cropping up on both wings in the second half to ask constant questions of the Russian defence. He distributed the ball to his fellow attackers in the centre of the park, and even helped out in his own penalty box. Koller increased Dortmund's lead from close range near the hour and laid on Amoroso's goal, which made it 3-0.

Jan Koller match statistics:
Goal attempts: 2 (1 goal, 1 wide)
Free-kicks won: 2
Caught offside: 5
Fouls: 1
Blocks: 1
Interceptions/ball recoveries: 5
Tackling success: 1/2
Clearance success: 1/1
Overall passing success: 20/26
Attacking passes success: 11/13
Total assists: 1