Jobe Bellingham delivered his first goal contribution for Borussia Dortmund in a 4-2 Champions League win over Copenhagen, earning glowing praise from coach Niko Kovac, team-mate Felix Nmecha and sporting director Sebastian Kehl. The 20-year-old, previously criticised for poor form, responded under pressure and showed signs of the player Dortmund believe he can become.
Jobe Bellingham steps up in Champions League test
After a difficult start in the Bundesliga and heavy scrutiny following his mistake against Bayern Munich, Bellingham was handed a starting spot in Dortmund’s Champions League clash against Copenhagen as Kovac made five changes, and the young midfielder responded with his best performance yet in the black and yellow jersey.
Bellingham registered his first goal contribution for the club, threading a precise pass into Nmecha's path for the opening goal in the 20th minute. Later on in the 87th minute he played a key role in Fabio Silva's strike, challenging for the ball to send it into the forward's path. Die Borussen finished the game with a 4-2 win in an entertaining contest that kept them on track for knockout-stage qualification.
It was a much-needed response not only for the player, but for a Dortmund side trying to bounce back from domestic criticism following their 2-1 defeat to Bayern just three days earlier.
AdvertisementAFPKovac and Kehl backs Bellingham
After the match against Copenhagen, coach Kovac made it clear his trust in Bellingham had been justified, telling : "I have to single out Jobe again, who played a very good game today." Asked if Bellingham will stay in the starting XI, he said: "I'll rotate and I did that today because I stand by what I say: We have a very good team; we have a lot of quality there."
Sporting director Kehl shared similar praise: "Jobe has been under some criticism in recent days, but the coach has put his trust in him and I think the boy did very, very well today."
Nmecha raved about the midfielder for setting up his opening goal, saying: "Jobe did very well. He was confident and made good passes. It's never easy in a phase like this. He just needs match practice."
The praise comes after Kovac publicly stood by the midfielder despite his struggles in the Klassiker: "I can’t find any fault with Jobe. He was standing where he needed to be. The ball was played in so sharply. It was an artistic feat in its own right that he didn’t score an own-goal. When a ball is played in so sharply, his first task is to hold his centre of gravity. He had his head down and Olise took advantage of this split second and slid in. That’s not a simple [situation]. There’s no fault. I think that everything is fine with that situation."
Pressure, comparison and support from Kane
The 20-year-old's development comes with added weight. His move from Sunderland for €33 million (£28m/$38m) earlier this year brought expectation, but it is the surname that has made his adaptation harder. Comparisons with his brother Jude, once Dortmund’s midfield leader and now a global star at Real Madrid are impossible to ignore.
Even Bayern striker Harry Kane offered support after Jobe’s costly error in Der Klassiker, saying: "It was a tough situation for him. He tries to control the first ball, but Michael Olise reacts well and slides into the ball. Unfortunate, but he just has to keep going and work hard," he said. "He's a good player with a lot of potential. I'm sure he wants to play more right now, but that's part of learning at this level. He has a great future ahead of him, he just needs to keep working."
Dortmund themselves are under pressure. They sit fourth in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern. Critics have questioned Kovac’s rotation and tactical structure, increasing the importance of every individual performance especially from young players in key roles.
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With the win over Copenhagen, Dortmund sit on seven points after three Champions League matches and remain in control of their qualification hopes. Their next European challenge is a daunting trip to Manchester City on November 5 and a reunion with former star Erling Haaland.
Before that, they face Koln in the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal second round, and Augsburg in the league. It’s a demanding schedule but one packed with opportunity for Bellingham to build momentum.
For now, his assist and performance in Europe may represent a turning point not just in his season, but in his journey to step out of his brother’s shadow and create his own legacy in Dortmund colours.