Dortmund all but convincing as they leave it late to defeat battling Furth 3-0
A Haaland brace and Malen goal proved sufficient on a night where BVB failed to click in attack.
After a hard-fought draw with local neighbours Bochum last week, Dortmund was looking to get back to winning ways against Bundesliga basement side Greuther Furth. Die Kleeblatter on the other hand, came into this game on a high after achieving their first taste of victory in the German topflight having beaten Union Berlin. Stefan Leitl was quoted saying his side felt confident coming into this clash in the heart of North Rhein-Westphalia, with the hopes of an upset on the cards.
Despite the home side dominating the opening proceedings with regards possession, Furth appeared to have the better of the half chances. Dortmund thought they took the lead through Thorgan Hazard in the 21st minute. Much to the disappointment of the man who had just returned from injury, his goal was chalked off for the narrowest of offsides picked up by the eagle-eyed VAR in use.
An appeal for handball on the stroke of the half hour mark was checked pitch side by Daniel Schlager. Bauer blocked Haaland’s strike with an outstretched arm thus resulting in the spot kick being awarded. The Norwegian talisman stepped up to the mark, calmly dispatching the ball to the bottom left corner sending Burchert the wrong way. After a difficult and frustrating opening for Die Schwarzgelben, 1-0 was just what Marco Rose’s side needed to settle the nerves.
A close-range Reus freekick called Burchert into action again just before half time. The Furth shot stopper dealt with it brilliantly, continuing his great form since being re-introduced for the injured Funk. The half came to an end in dramatic fashion when Furth believed Bellingham should have been given his marching orders for a late challenge, so much so that Leitl himself ended up in the book.
Dortmund made one change at the interval. Bellingham, already walking on thin ice with referee Schlager and suspended for the trip to Hertha this Saturday, was replaced by Mo Dahoud. Furth went close in the 62nd minute. A flowing counterattack started by the brilliant Leweling almost drew the underdogs level, only for the ball to be dragged left of the upright.
The longer the game progressed the more confident Furth became, while Dortmund seemed totally bereft of ideas going forward. Perhaps this was the result of the tiring Englische Woche, but credit must be given to Greuther Furth as they played with a level of confidence while simultaneously derailing BVB’s gameplan. Whistles rang out around the Westfalenstadion with 15 minutes to go. The crowd evidently frustrated by their team’s inability to play to their usual attacking standards.
However, who else other than Erling Haaland put the game to bed in the 82nd minute. A Brandt freekick on the left wing found the head of the prolific striker who leaped unchallenged to guide the ball past the statue-like Burchert for 2-0. Malen then managed to bag Dortmund’s last goal of the night in the final minutes of the game. Brandt was involved in the build up again as he picked out the Dutchman at the back post. After a stopping the ball dead he evaded the first challenge and rolled the ball through the legs of Meyerhöfer making it 3-0.
Borussia Dortmund will be happy to take all 3 points from a difficult night at home. The Black and Yellow’s will travel to the capital to play Hertha Berlin before the winter break arrives. Despite not taking any points home, Furth and Leitl will be proud of their efforts as they frustrated Dortmund for the guts of 75 minutes, going close on numerous occasions. Augsburg await them on Saturday.