Dortmund came into the match on a three-game winless run in all competitions
Serhou Guirassy scored in each half as Borussia Dortmund ground out a 2-1 win against Sabah in Azerbaijan.
Dortmund were looking to bounce back after their 1-0 defeat at Bodo/Glimt a week ago, and went ahead in the 10th minute when Guirassy pounced on a rebound after Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov spilled a shot.
But Sabah, buoyed by beating Slavia Prague for their first-ever Champions League victory last week, improved and began to threaten through quick transitions and counter-attacks.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 39th minute when defender Aden McCarthy headed in from a free-kick on the right wing.
Half-time came at a bad time for the hosts, who had put Dortmund under pressure and had an effort from Joy-Lance Mickels ruled out for offside.
Dortmund regrouped after the break and looked more comfortable, and reclaimed the lead when Guirassy met Joey Veerman's excellent cross with a cushioned volley past Pokatilov to double his tally.
The game became stretched in the closing stages as both sides created chances - Guirassy and Fabio Silva spurned one-on-ones to extend Dortmund's lead, before Sabah substitute Orphe Mbina blazed wide and Veljko Simic mis-hit a decent opportunity.
Dortmund have six points and will host Real Betis next on Wednesday, 4 November (20:00 BST).
Sabah remain on three points and face a trip to Norway to play Viking at the same time.
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