15:30 Kickoffs: Dortmund climb back into top-four, Leverkusen take top-spot, Union snap skid
The Bundesliga's top-four is set early after the results of the latest set of 15:30 kickoffs. Borussia Dortmund shook off their recent form issues with an impressive 4-2 win over visiting Borussia Mönchengladbach. Edin Terzic's BVB are back in fourth place thanks to an RB Leipzig loss at Wolfsburg.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen easily reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga table with a 3-0 win over SV Werder Bremen. The remaining two matches (Freiburg-Darmstadt and Union-Augsburg) ended in 1-1 draws. Union Berlin have halted a nine-match league losing streak with their home result.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen easily reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga table with a 3-0 win over SV Werder Bremen. The remaining two matches (Freiburg-Darmstadt and Union-Augsburg) ended in 1-1 draws. Union Berlin have halted a nine-match league losing streak with their home result.
| Photo: Borussia Dortmund |
Terzic made four changes to the XI that lost to Stuttgart just prior to the international break. Much discussed U21 call-up decliner Karim Adeyemi had to pass with illness. Felix Nmecha was also unavailable after incurring a hip injury over the international break. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Emré Can came on in place of the pair. Additionally, Ramy Bensebaini and Marco Reus dispatched Niklas Süle and Salih Özcan to the bench. BMG trainer Seoane made just one change to the XI that rolled over Wolfsburg. Once again fit American striker Jordan took over for Tomas Cvancara.
With slow marks and sloppy body language, it very much seemed like Terzic's BVB retained the low confidence issues associated with two consecutive league losses. Gladbach remained by far the more active team after kickoff and it came as no surprise to see the visiting foals take an early lead. The dream continued for young German riser Rocco Reitz when the 21-year-old scored the opening goal in the 13th. Alassane Plea played the Germany U21 star through with a nice ball. BVB center-backs Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels were poor in their coverage.
Gladbach continued to dominate proceedings. Dortmund were extremely lucky to see Plea's 2-0 disallowed on a narrow offside call in the 19th. The hosts remained under constant bombardment and did eventually concede a second goal in the 28th. Failure to clear a Franck Honorat corner ultimately enabled Honorat to set up Manu Kouadio Koné. Matters looked extremely grim for Terzic's side after their guests doubled the advantage. Fortunately, the BVB were able to answer promptly during a wild phase between the 28th and 32nd.
Marcel Sabitzer first pulled a goal back with a marvels drop-kick finish at the half-hour mark. Reus and Julian Brandt were involved in the set-up work. The 1-2 took a slight deflection in off Gladbach defender Joe Scally. Two minutes after that, Niclas Füllkrug drew his team level with a strong technical finish from about 13 meters out. Bensebaini and Bynoe-Gittens did their part in getting the ball to Füllkrug in space. As heavy rainfall began to split the sky at Signal Iduna Park, the phase seeing three goals scored in four minutes was followed up by a lull.
A goal from Bynoe-Gittens in the 45th allowed Dortmund to completely turn the game around. The ultra-wet conditions on the pitch played a significant role as Bynoe-Gittens, along with Füllkrug and Reus, were able to keep the ball alive in the penalty area even after a misplaced pass from the young Englishman. Koné was culpable in turning the ball back over just ahead of the 3-2. Dortmund nearly rushed out to a 4-2 lead before the half was out, with Reus finding himself denied by BMG keeper Moritz Nicolas at 45+3.
Both coaches employed changes at the half. Terzic brought on Giovanni Reyna to replace Sabitzer while Seoane turned to Cvancara over Jordan. With the weather conditions not lifting, most of the second half was characterized by mistakes and more cautious play. Dortmund looked to be the side closer to scoring during some early half chances. The flow of the match nevertheless slowed to a crawl late due to both the rainfall and a constant hail of substitutes. Shortly after Christoph Kramer nearly scored an equalizer, Donyell Malen took advantage of an empty goal to net the 4-2 at 90+7.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga's 15:30 kickoffs, Bayer 04 Leverkusen were able to rather easily reclaim top-spot in the Bundesliga table after FC Bayern München's victory over Köln put the German giants in first last night. Xabi Alonso's Werkself completed a workman-like 3-0 victory over SV Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion. B04 stars Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong netted goals in the win.
:ast-placed side 1. FC Union Berlin found some success under their new interim coaching regime. Die Eisernen fell down 0-1 to Augsburg at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in Köpenick. An Ermedin Demirovic penalty in the 19th ended up making the difference. Union were gifted their own chance to equalize from the penalty spot, but FCU defender Robin Knoche couldn't convert. Kevin Volland still managed to score a late equalizer.
VfL Wolfsburg were able to snap out of their own poor league-form-run with a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig. There would be no winner in a match at the Europa Park Stadion in Breisgau. SC Freiburg and SV Darmstadt 98 split the difference in a 1-1 draw. Wolfsburg climb atop Freiburg to occupy eighth-place in the table thanks to the two results.