Borussia Dortmund has digested the recent setbacks. After beating Union Berlin 2-1, BVB remains in the title race.
With the last of their strength, Dortmund dragged themselves to the southern stand and celebrated a little reconciliation with the fans. The BVB pros hopped arm in arm around match winner Youssoufa Moukoko – after the recent setbacks, Borussia is still involved in the Bundesliga title race.
“A striker is there to score goals. I smelled it. It was a striker’s instinct,” said the winning goal scorer after the 2-1 (1-0) chasing duel against Union Berlin on Sky: “The coach said when you come in, you decide the game.” The young national player, since Saturday the youngest Bundesliga player with 50 games, was substituted for the final phase.
BVB is just two points behind leaders Bayern Munich. Donyell Malen (28th) and Moukoko (79th) secured the eighth league home win in a row. Despite the sixth defeat of the season, Union remains third in the table. Kevin Behrens (61st) had equalized in the meantime. “We’re making one crucial mistake too many,” Rani Khedira complained. “In the second half we were gripping and aggressive.”
BVB trainer Edin Terzic reacted personally to the disastrous appearance in the cup in Leipzig (0: 2). Jude Bellingham, Karim Adeyemi and Sebastien Haller replaced captain Marco Reus, Salih Özcan and the sick Marius Wolf in the starting XI.
Leadership gives Dortmund self-confidence
In front of 81,365 spectators in the sold-out Signal Iduna Park, the hosts could see the uncertainty after the recent setbacks in the early stages. Union dominated the first quarter of an hour four days after the end of the cup in Frankfurt (0:2), without becoming dangerous.
After 20 minutes, BVB took command against the now deep Berliners and looked for a gap in the dense defense of the guests. The first chance led to the lead. After a cross from Raphael Guerreiro, Malen escaped his opponent Niko Gießelmann and pushed the ball over the line from close range. Dortmund scored in the 47th league home game in a row.
At BVB, self-confidence grew, and the black and yellow were now very present in the duels. Haller had almost extended the lead at the break, but the striker failed with a header from close range by goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow (43rd).
After the change, the encounter initially continued to lack highlights – but the Irons managed to equalize out of nowhere. Niklas Süle initially did not go into a header duel against Behrens. After a one-two with Sheraldo Becker, Behrens is already thinking about it.
There was initially no reaction from the hosts. BVB lacked speed, precision and ideas. The Berliners, who were actually harmless, even had the opportunity to take a tour. But Guerreiro made a strong save against Becker (71st) in dire need.
Terzic brought Reus and youngster Youssoufa Moukoko for the final phase and Dortmund increased the pressure again.
BVB vs. Union Berlin: The voices of the game
Edin Terzic (Borussia Dortmund coach): “There was a lot of pressure on the boiler. We were able to show a different face today. That was also necessary. We wanted to apologize to the fans for the performances in Munich and Leipzig. We want to start a new series with the win.”
Urs Fischer (Coach Union Berlin): “It feels bad. It was a bitter defeat. The team showed sharpness and had grip. After the equaliser, we had chances to take the lead. In the end you invite the opponent.”
