After three competitive defeats in a row, things were supposed to get better again for the recently stumbling BVB in the top game against RB Leipzig – and it did with a passionate performance including a deficit.
The Bundesliga fan will have rarely seen this: BVB coach Nuri Sahin, who recently experienced a Halloween week of sporting horror (2:5 after 2:0 at Real Madrid, 1:2 after 1:0 in Augsburg and the 0-1 defeat in the DFB Cup in Wolfsburg), had to do without ten players before this difficult home game against RB – including goalkeeper Kobel (hip problems), Adeyemi (muscle injury) and Anton (abdominal muscles, hips), Ryerson (adductor problems) or Süle (syndesmosis injury). At least he was able to include Sabitzer back in the starting line-up, which also included keeper Meyer, after back problems.
The Leipzig team, who had rotated back a few times after their deserved 4-2 win in the DFB Cup against St. Pauli, wanted to take advantage of this circumstance coupled with the recent negative BVB results. Also because they arrived with 19 (!) league games without defeat across the seasons and only conceded three (!) goals this season.
But things were to turn out differently: Leipzig, who initially played with a three-man chain, were completely pushed in behind by the pushing BVB, who also had great opportunities straight away. But neither the blocked Gittens (6th minute), the free-standing Beier heading next to it (10th) nor the Gittens who appeared free in front of Gulacsi (14th) got the ball into the goal of RB goalkeeper Gulacsi.
Sesko ice cold, Beier in the right place
What was doubly bitter was that Rose switched from a three-man to a four-man chain structure from around the 20th minute onwards and from then on his team took more center stage. Goal to make it 1-0 with the first shot included: It was built up on the left side before Openda put his heel backwards in the duel with Can on the left side of the penalty area and found Sesko. The striker didn’t hesitate and used the bottom edge of the crossbar to send the ball past Meyer, who was only lightly touching it, and into the net. Schlotterbeck also came too late here (27th).
However, Sahin’s protégés were not particularly shocked by this, they immediately made further demands in their already intensive performance – even if Gittens initially despaired of a great leg save from Gulacsi with his low shot (29th).
Only a minute later, after the big cross, the time had come: Bensebaini rose highest, maneuvered the ball in the middle of the box to the lurking Beier, who shot cleanly and quickly under the crossbar to make it 1-1. That should also be the score at halftime, also because Sesko missed again (41′) and Guirassy misjudged a Nmecha through ball (45’+2).
Guirassy rewards Dortmund
Although in the second 45 minutes the strength of the black and yellow team decreased somewhat, the BVB team remained the better team. Approaches via Brandt and Beier/Guirassy (49th each) included. And above all about Schlotterbeck, who despaired after turning past Gulacsi (59th). On the other hand, Can also received applause from the stands after a strong tackle against Openda (63′).
The best thing in this phase: Dortmund also knew how to reward themselves with the deserved 2-1 (65th). Beier didn’t give up a ball near the right sideline, but instead grabbed it and crossed into the center. There, Guirassy rose between Geertruida and the very passive Joker Elmas and nodded into the right corner for the celebrated lead.
In the final phase, duels and strong tackles from Schlotterbeck, for example, were also celebrated – and also from Can, who was able to make a strong save just in front of the goal line in the 68th minute after a beautiful Leipzig move over Kampl and Elmas. BVB, who were absolutely passionate that evening, could only be blamed for their poor exploitation of opportunities. But so be it, because the Westphalians didn’t let anything go wrong and, after negative results, they took a liberating blow.
Goals and cards
0:1Sesco (27′)
1:1
Beier (30′)
Game data
Dortmund
Leipzig
Spielinfo
| Stadium | Signal Iduna Park |
| Viewers | 81,365 (sold out) |
It continues as follows: BVB has the home game against Sturm Graz in the Champions League (Tuesday, 9 p.m.) before they head to Mainz in the league (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.). Leipzig, which leaves the pitch as a loser for the first time after 19 unbeaten Bundesliga games, travels to Glasgow (also Tuesday, 9 p.m.), then hosts RB Gladbach (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.).
