Dortmund overturn two-goal half time deficit to defeat Frankfurt 2-3
Borre's quickfire brace put Die Adler in the lead before Dortmund's second half resurgence bagged all 3 points.
The Bundesliga’s Matchday 18 Top Spiel saw Borussia Dortmund make the 270km trip south to the Deutsche Bank Park taking on their opponents Eintracht Frankfurt. After a rather dismal end to the season before the winter break, taking only 4 points from their last 3 games, Dortmund sought to bounce back and take advantage of Bayern’s Friday night slip-up to Monchengladbach. Frankfurt, the form team towards the Hinrunde end, who took an impressive 18 points from a possible 21 in the final 7 matches, were looking to continue their winning ways in 2022.
Frankfurt took the lead in the 16th minute through the right boot of Colombian striker Rafael Borre. Can fouled Hinteregger on the left wing, and the subsequent freekick taken by Kostic superbly picked out the striker who diverted the ball home, despite Kobel getting a hand to the effort. This came largely against the run of play, as the away side held the lion’s share of possession in the opening minutes.
Borre doubled his tally 8 minutes later after some desperate defending from Marco Rose’s side. Reus failed to clear his lines and in doing so, the ball ricocheted to the Frankfurt striker who duly pounced on the gifted opportunity for 2-0 and his 6th goal of the campaign. Dortmund appeared shell shocked as their early dominance seemed to subside while Die Adler grew in confidence.
The second half started brightly when 3 minutes in, Frankfurt’s Lindstrom went on a mazing run towards the Dortmund goal. The in-form Dane nutmegged Hummels expertly, however his finish lacked any real purchase to beat Kobel who smothered the shot. Dortmund pressure and possession began to grow approaching the hour mark. However, no real clear-cut chances were created, as Rose looked to Hazard on the bench who replaced Brandt.
Die Schwarzgelben did manage to grab a lifeline with twenty minutes to go. Captain Marco Reus found the feet of Haaland in a central position who in turn fed substitute Hazard. The Belgian managed to poke his effort goalward, squeezing the ball between the legs of Trapp making it 2-1 with an unorthodox finish.
After prolonged pressure from the visitors, Dortmund finally drew level through Bellingham with 3 minutes of normal time remaining. Meunier’s cross from the right wing picked out the Englishman who buried his header past the hapless Trapp.
Then in a miraculous turn of events, Rose’s men found themselves 3-2 up in the final minute of normal time. The sustained dominance finally told when Mo Dahoud picked the ball up on the edge of the box and curled his effort into the bottom right-hand corner. Trapp, who had been exceptional in goal for the home side tonight pulling off a string of fine saves, could do nothing to prevent his compatriot’s powerful strike.
Dortmund leave somewhat fortunate taking all 3 points home, narrowing Bayern’s lead to 6 points at the top of the Bundesliga summit. They will face Freiburg on Friday night’s evening kick-off. Glasner’s Frankfurt on the other hand will make the trip to Augsburg in hope of a more positive result.