Borussia Dortmund's misery finally ends with 1-0 win over Hoffenheim

Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp celebrates the win after the final whistle with goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak

It’s no surprise that Bayern Munich is once again at top of the Bundesliga table and they’re clear favourites to clinch the championship probably a month before the season ends. But if you asked anyone who understands football, it’s really hard to explain how Borussia Dortmund fell to 18th (last spot) in Bundesliga after 13 games.

With a talent pool of Hummels, Reus, Ilkay, Mkhitaryan it is very difficult to rationalize the situation they’re in right now. After losing against Eintracht Frankfurt last week, Borussia not only needed to win and grab three points against Hoffenheim on Saturday to climb higher positions in Bundesliga, they also needed to restore their powerhouse image in Germany.

The stadium was packed once again. It didn’t matter that Dortmund was struggling massively and failed their season expectations. It is quite impossible to see something like this in other big clubs around the world. There would have been protests against the footballers, the coach and even the board. And most probably, those seats would have been half empty after their club’s terrible start. But this is Dortmund and their fans are one of the most loyal fans in the world.

They were in full support of the team from the first minute to the final whistle.

Dortmund’s early pressure

Dortmund deployed two defensive midfielders in Kehl and Bender, using Ilkay just behind the lone striker Ramos. Mkhitaryan started on the left, Aubameyang started on the right. After the season long injury last season, Ilkay started to find his feet and he really played a great game.

Hoffenheim have great players in Rudy and Volland so Klopp didn’t want to risk anything. Getting three points was the most important thing for Borussia in any way possible. Dortmund started with enthusiasm and attacking mentality with the fans encouraging them to score early. They had a few half chances then with Ilkay’s diving header to the an empty net after Aubameyang’s wonderful cross gave them the lead.

Goalkeeper Baumann of Hoffenheim had a great game, but he mistimed his drive and failed to make contact with the ball from Aubameyang’s cross which helped Ilkayto score at the far post. Dortmund played with less fervour after the goal with Hoffenheim being more aggressive on the pitch. Neither team created goalscoring chances and the half ended 1-0.

Failed chances to increase the lead in the second half

Dortmund once again started with an attacking mentality, just like in the first half, pushing the tempo and creating chances with Gundogan, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan. Hoffenheim moved their defensive line higher up and that allowed Dortmund to press them in the midfield, win the ball back and counter with 3 or 4 players. This is what Dortmund have been doing for the last few years.

However, without Reus and Lewandowski up front they don’t usually make good decisions. Mkhitaryan is a gifted player but he tends to hold on to the ball a lot and his vision is not as great as Götze’s is. He tends to look for the goal other than setting up his team mate in a possible goal position. Gundogan usually plays in centre midfield, but he played more as an attacking midfielder in this game and was hence the linchpin of Dortmund’s offense. He sprayed passes smartly and created some chances on goal for his team mates.

Baumann saved two of Aubameyang’s shots, first in a one-on-one situation and then another from a quick shot inside the penalty area that hit the woodwork after Baumann got a hand to it. When you can’t find the goal and make it 2-0 and when you are in a difficult situation psychologically – a must-win situation – you tend to protect the score and get back defensively.

Two critical mistakes by the referee and Hummels’ magical moment

If the referee gave Aubameyang’s goal in the 51st minute which shouldn’t have been disallowed, it could have been much easier for Dortmund. They could have increased the lead and got a comfortable win. But the goal was cancelled and it remained 1-0.

The most important moment of the game defensively for Dortmund was Hummel’s save from the goal line. He sensed that Rudy’s free-kick was going to the top corner and backpedalled to deflect the ball to the corner with his head just before it went in. Hummels saved Borussia Dortmund with a moment which shows how excellent a defender he is.

With two substitutions, Hoffenheim risked more and tried to get the equalizer. Subotic mistimed his tackle in 80th minute but the referee somehow didn’t give a penalty. When the final whistle blew Klopp was extremely happy. It was a hard earned 3 points taking Dortmund to 14th place.

What next for Dortmund?

The game could have ended 3-0 or it could have ended 1-1 easily. Sometimes you need luck on your side. Dortmund lacked luck this season – they have had too many injuries and made silly defensive mistakes with games slipping out of their hands this year. But luck was on their side on Saturday. Hummel’s save and the referee not giving the penalty saved the day for Dortmund.

Now like everyone, I expect them to get better psychologically, get another win and start a mini-run to climb up in the table. They have the quality to do that. Dortmund can climb up close to the top four if they find consistency before the first half of the season ends.

Dortmund’s misery finally ended this week. But the real test would be next week against Hertha BSC. If Dortmund can come up with a win there, they would have a great chance to end their slump and find consistency which they need desperately.