Summer newcomer Donyell Malen shone with three assists and thus covered another wild performance of the Dortmund defense.
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Three things that stood out.
1. Newcomer Malen finally arrives
Not captain Marco Reus, not star striker Erling Haaland: Donyell Malen was the outstanding offensive player at TSG Hoffenheim. With three assists, the Dutchman led Marco Rose’s team to an important away win and was the ray of hope in a gloomy performance by Borussia.
As during the week at FC St. Pauli, Dortmund’s creativity motor was paralyzed in Sinsheim. Marco Rose’s team managed just three shots on goal in 90 minutes. Only Maling caused danger: After a lightning start after six minutes, the Dutchman Haaland served the ball exemplary on the silver platter after a wonderful interaction with Jude Bellingham – a magic goal.
At 2: 1 he served goalscorer Reus perfectly with a deep pass. A few minutes later he almost single-handedly made the preliminary decision. Malen skilfully broke away from Kevin Vogt in the half-space, penetrated the penalty area at high speed and forced the own goal from Hoffenheim’s defender David Raum with a sharp cross. “Donny did very well today,” praised the BVB coach after his attacker’s gala.
For the first time in the Bundesliga, BVB won both the first and second leg against Hoffenheim. Above all thanks to a strengthened painting – and merciless efficiency. Because: Borussia scored three goals from the meager three shots on goal.
2. Akanji saves wild BVB defensive
Borussia’s defensive problems continued in the Kraichgau. Only twice this season did the black and yellow concede a goal – the worst value in 37 years. In the first round in particular, the Dortmund team presented themselves wildly.
Coach Rose’s team allowed a total of nine shots on goal before the half-time break, and the hosts played a number of promising attacks uncleanly. BVB was lucky twice that TSG only hit the woodwork from standard situations.
Andrej Kramaric’s 1-1 just before the break was more than overdue. “We had big problems until the break, the equalizer was deserved,” Rose said after the game. Especially Thomas Meunier substitute Marius Wolf on the right often seemed overwhelmed with and without the ball. A catastrophic bad pass by the former Frankfurt player gave Georgino Rutter a big chance after the break.
Manuel Akanji separates David Raum from the ball with an extremely strong tackle
Fotocredit: Getty Images
As during the week in St. Pauli, Borussia conceded two goals and have conceded 30 goals after 20 Bundesliga games – an average of one and a half goals per match. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel had Manuel Akanji to thank for the fact that they only conceded two goals in the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.
The Swiss, who started in Hoffenheim for the first time in almost two months after his knee operation, saved his compatriot from further goals in goal. “Manuel came back very quickly and well after his surgery,” praised the BVB coach after the away win. With 86 percent of duels won, the central defender recorded the best tackle rate of all Borussia.
The 26-year-old saved three times in dire need: after 22 minutes he prevented space from running free with a daring tackle. Shortly before half-time, he also cleared a last-second tackle before Kramaric, who was ready to score, before he was back on the ball in front of the Croatian immediately after the break.
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After 83 minutes he left the field completely exhausted. Previously, he had repeatedly shown why Coach Rose needs an Akanji in top form as soon as possible.
3. Rose conversion brings victory
TSG Hoffenheim had the game under control in the first half. “We had a good ten, 15 minutes. After that Hoffenheim got stronger and stronger,” Rose analyzed to “Sky”. TSG coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s five-man chain repeatedly presented Borussia with major problems.
Again and again, winger Raum broke through on the left against Marius Wolf and caused danger. Rutter and Stiller always had space in the offensive half-spaces to process balls and put pressure on the defensive line. “They find the gaps very good because they occupied every interface in the last third,” said Captain Reus in praise of the opponent.
Coach Marco Rose led BVB to victory with his change
Fotocredit: Getty Images
The superiority was also reflected in the numbers: After 90 minutes, TSG had 58 percent possession of the ball, and Sebastian Hoeneß’ team had fired nine shots on goal by the break. When TSG dominated after the change of sides, Rose reacted.
The 45-year-old replaced Dan-Axel Zagadou and Thorgan Hazard in place of Julian Brandt and Marius Wolf, switching to a 5-2-3 formation. “We didn’t put enough pressure on the opponent. It got better after switching to a five-man chain. We went more man to man,” said Captain Reus to “Sky”.
Just two minutes after the change, Marco Reus (58th) scored at the end of a nice combination to make it 2-1. In the 67th minute, Malen’s sharp cross forced Raum’s own goal and thus the preliminary decision. “I think the change was good for us,” said Rose at the press conference. As a result, the guests had more access to Hoffenheim.
Once again, Borussia decided a league game in the second half. No team scored as often after the break as the black and yellow: BVB scored 33 of their 52 goals after the break.
Despite his lucky hand, Rose admitted after the game: “In the end we fought home the win that was flattering for us.”
Rose analyzes BVB victory in Hoffenheim: “Change was good for us”
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