5th matchday
Reus saves BVB further frustration: 1-0 against Wolfsburg
Scored the only goal of the game: Marco Reus. photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
After the much-criticized performance in Paris, BVB has a debt to pay. Even against Wolfsburg, the team fell short of expectations for a long time – until the goal of a former noble reserve.
Thanks to the goal by the noble reserve Reus, who was called into the starting eleven this time, in the 69th minute in front of 81,365 spectators in the sold-out Signal Iduna Park, BVB, which had had a mixed start to the season, moved up into the European Cup ranks.
In contrast, despite an appealing performance, the guests left the field as losers in Dortmund for the sixth time in a row and had to let Borussia overtake them in the table.
Terzic is rebuilding the BVB team
BVB coach Terzic reacted to his team’s weak performance in Paris with a significant change to the starting eleven. Six professionals found themselves on the bench. The football teacher’s measure affected captain Emre Can as well as the two attackers Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi. Former reservists such as Marco Reus and Salih Özcan as well as convalescent Jamie Bynoe-Gittens were there from the start. Niclas Füllkrug celebrated his debut in the Dortmund starting eleven.
The much more offensive orientation seemed to enliven the BVB game that was still boring in Paris. Wolfsburg’s keeper Koen Casteels had to demonstrate his skills early on when Reus took a free kick (5th) to prevent his team from falling behind. However, Borussia’s offensive actions were not really compelling. When a cross from Wolfsburg’s Joakim Maehle (12th) failed and was parried by BVB keeper Gregor Kobel, the guests also signaled a goal threat for the first time.
The spectators didn’t see any further goal area scenes for a long time after that. Despite all their efforts, Borussia lacked the ideas and speed to really shake the visitors’ defense. That’s why it wasn’t Dortmund but Wolfsburg who were closer to the lead before the break. After Özcan lost the ball, Tiago (37th), who had moved into the away team, finished, but was denied by Kobel.
After the restart, BVB increased the pressure and worked differently than in the first. Halftime chances that Füllkrug (54th) and Julian Brandt (55th) were unable to take advantage of. However, that was to change in the 69th minute: After a cross from Brandt, Reus was there from close range and scored the redeeming goal.
However, the hard-fought success was once again in danger when Wolfsburg attacker Jonas Wind (77th) narrowly missed the goal with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.