Heavy defeat in Dortmund

The battle of the Borussias ended in disappointment for the Foals, with BVB running out 6-0 winners in Dortmund on matchday 23.

The 10,000 spectators at the Signal-Iduna-Park witnessed a fairly even first 45, but while Gladbach were left frustrated by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Dortmund were clinical with their chances and led 2-0 at the break courtesy of Marco Reus and Donyell Malen. Adi Hütter’s side looked to respond after the change of ends and Jonas Hofmann was unlucky with an effort that hit the bar, but BVB again were deadly once more and took advantage of the space afforded to them to add four goals in the final 20 minutes through Marius Wolf, Youssoufa Moukoko, Marco Reus again and Emre Can.

TEAM NEWS

Adi Hütter opted for the same line-up as in the previous two league matches. Matthias Ginter, Marvin Friedrich and Nico Elvedi made up the back-three ahead of Yann Sommer. Stefan Lainer and Ramy Bensebaini took up wing-back positions on either side of centre-midfielders Manu Koné and Florian Neuhaus, while Jonas Hofmann, Alassane Plea and Breel Embolo led the line.

TEAM NEWS

The Foals were without captain Lars Stindl (knee) and Mamadou Doucouré (muscle problems).

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

6’: BVB with the opening chance. A cross is cleared only as far as Reyna, whose powerful volley is pushed behind by Sommer.

23’: The Foals break on the counter down the right-hand side with Lainer. His pull-back is perfect for Koné on the edge of the box, but the shot ricochets off the inside of Kobel’s leg and bounces up and over the bar.

26’: Dortmund take the lead. Malen’s fizzing shot from 20 yards is parried by Sommer, however, the ball drops to Reus in the box and he is able to pick out his spot. 1-0 to BVB.

30’: A huge chance to equalise. Hofmann plays a beautiful one-two with Embolo before firing at goal. Again, Kobel manages to get something in the way of the shot.

32’: Dortmund double their advantage. Reus plays Malen in behind the backline and he is able to squeeze the ball underneath Sommer. 2-0 to BVB.

37’: A third golden chance for Gladbach. Some neat football opens up space for Neuhaus to shoot, but he can’t find a way past Kobel.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

53’: Gladbach drive forward with Plea, whose low shot is comfortable enough for Kobel to gather.

63’: Hard luck for the Foals. Hofmann thunders a shot that has Kobel beaten, but the ball crashes against the crossbar and away to safety.

70’: Dortmund kill the game with their first chance of the second half. Reus lays the ball of for Wolf, whose driven shot clips the underside of the bar and nestles in the back of the net. 3-0 to BVB.

74’: The hosts continue to be clinical in the final third. Reus leads a counterattack and squares the ball to Moukoko in the centre, who has the easy job of slotting in. 4-0 to BVB.

81’: Another goal. Hummels’ ball has Reus in behind and he fires past Sommer. 5-0 to BVB.

87’: Brandt looks to curl a shot into the top corner, but the ball sails narrowly over the top.

90’: The final nail in the coffin. Bensebaini brings down Wolf in the box and Can steps up to convert the resulting penalty.

MATCH FACTS

BVB: Kobel – Can, Hummels, Zagadou (42’ Pongracic) – Hazard (68’ Wolf), Dahoud, Bellingham, Guerreiro (68’ Schulz), Reyna (30’ Brandt), Reus – Malen (68’ Moukoko)

Borussia: Sommer – Ginter, Friedrich (46’ Thuram), Elvedi– Lainer (67’ Scally), Bensebaini – Koné (77’ Kramer), Neuhaus – Hofmann, Plea – Embolo // Unused subs: Sippel, Jantschke, Netz, Beyer, Bénes, Herrmann

Goals: 1-0 Reus (26’), 2-0 Malen (32’), 3-0 Wolf (70’), 4-0 Moukoko (75’), 5-0 Reus (81’), 6-0 Can (90’, pen.)

Attendance: 10,000 (sold-out)

Yellow cards: Zagadou, Dahoud – Bensebaini

Referee: Marco Fritz (Korb)

Stefan Lainer looks to shake off Dan-Axel Zagadou
Jonas Hofmann was unlucky to see his shot rattle the crossbar at 2-0 down
Alassane Plea in a challenge with Jude Bellingham

20.02.2022