Borussia defeat Borussia

The football played by Borussia Dortmund this afternoon was, quite literally, painful to watch. What else can you say about a team that managed just one shot in the first half—and even that attempt was blocked? Niko Kovač said before the match that not every team in the Bundesliga can play attractive football like Bayern Munich, but they certainly don’t have to play like this either, as Dortmund did against Borussia Mönchengladbach (0–1).

The home side actually has plenty to regret, especially several good chances in the first 45 minutes when they were in control of almost everything, while Dortmund struggled even to reach the opponent’s penalty area, let alone deliver a final pass to Serhou Guirassy. From the start, the hosts imposed a high tempo, which led to a chance for Joe Scally. The American pounced on a rebound midway through the first half and struck it well, but Gregor Kobel reacted brilliantly. The Dortmund goalkeeper was even more impressive in the 31st minute when Haris Tabaković fired from close range after a cross by Rocco Reitz, only for Kobel to deflect the ball at the last moment.

The home side kept pressing in the second half but couldn’t find the breakthrough until the 89th minute, when Tabaković escaped the defense and, after a VAR check, scored the goal worth three points—fully deserved for the hosts. This win means a lot more for Monchengladbach, who have secured their place in the elite rang of Germany football with today’s three points. Now they don’t have to tremble anymore, which cannot be said for St. Pauli, Wolfsburg, Bremen and Cologne, who are fighting for a place which leads to relegation playoffs, while Heidenheim is doomed and will play in Bundesliga 2 next season.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 32

Saturday

Bayern Munich - Heidenheim 3-3 (1-2)

/Goretzka 44,57, Olise 90+10 - Zivziadze 22,76, Dinkci 31/

Eintracht Frakfurt - HSV 1-2 (0-0)

/Uzun 48 - Gronbaek 51, Vieira 59/

Hoffenheim - Stuttgart 3-3 (2-1)

/Kramaric 7,49, Toure 23 - Fuhrich 20, Demirovic 64, Tomas 90+5/

Union Berlin - Koln 2-2 (0-1)

/Rothe 73, Burcu 89 - Butler 33, El Mala 61/

Werder - Augsburg 1-3 (0-2)

/Schmid 64 - Kade 24, 45+3/

Leverkusen - RB Leipzig 4-1 (2-0)

/Schick 25,76,89 - Baumgartner 80/

Sunday

St.Pauli - Mainz 1-2 (0-2)

/Ceesay 87 - Tietz 6, Mwene 40/

M' gladbach - Dortmund 1-0 (0-0)

/Tabakovic 88/

20.30: (2.55) Freiburg (3.35) Wolfsburg (2.75)

***odds are subject to change***