With the transfer window closing on 1 September, Dortmund have shifted into high gear. Defensive issues and over-reliance on striker Serhou Guirassy are driving their urgency. As Niko Kovac explained ahead of Dortmund’s Bundesliga opener against St. Pauli: “We are glad to have him. I’ve said several times he is a kind of life insurance for us.”

Danel Sinani and Eric Smith struck in the closing stages as St Pauli fought from two goals down to a 3-3 draw on Saturday against 10-man Borussia Dortmund, whose Serhou Guirassy failed to convert a penalty.