As of: 03/13/2022 8:01 p.m
With a lot of effort and completely lackluster, Borussia Dortmund has reduced the gap to Bayern. Erling Haaland celebrated his comeback in the agonizing win against Bielefeld.
In a game characterized by numerous failures on both sides (Arminia was missing head coach Frank Kramer due to a corona infection), Haaland, who came on in the 63rd minute after a two-month break, did not score. Nevertheless, with a bit of luck, BVB managed to win an important 1-0 win, but not entirely undeservedly.
Dortmund can reduce to four points
The gap to Bayern is now seven points, but the team of Marco Rose, who recently seemed thoughtful, still has the catch-up game on Wednesday (16.03.22) at 1. FSV Mainz 05 in hand.
Arminia Bielefeld with Ilja Gruev on the gang had started the Westphalia duel quite courageously. After just six minutes, the visitors had their first major counterattack opportunity after Nico Schulz lost the ball, but Patrick Wimmer played his through ball to Brian Lasme so late that he was ruled offside.
But BVB could have taken the lead early on. After a combination via Felix Passlack and Marius Wolf, Donyell Malen failed on the post. Bielefeld remained dangerous via Lasme and George Bello, but lacked the power to penetrate.
Guided by wolf
The showed Borussia Dortmund in the 21st minute. Jude Bellingham served Thorgan Hazard on the right wing, whose dropkick cross Wolf pushed past Stefan Ortega from close range.
He expanded his presence in the opposing half for BVB and almost did more after half an hour through Wolf – but Ortega parried brilliantly.
VAR collects a penalty again
Seconds later referee Bastian Dankert suddenly pointed to the penalty spot. Hazard was about to take action before VAR stepped in and Dankert pointed out that Robin Hack had accidentally shot the ball at his own Aem – the decision was rightly overturned.
Curious and symbolic of the changeable course of the Dortmund season: After the break, BVB seemed as if they had fallen asleep, lost the ball and were sloppy in the build-up – Bielefeld completely took over the midfield.
Just too harmless
But again little went for Arminen up front and after 58 minutes they could be happy that Malen’s individual action ended on the crossbar and not with the 2:0. The Bielefeld remained snappy, but also totally harmless. Even when Gruev increased the risk quite late with Fabian Klos, Dortmund was embarrassingly pushed deep into their own half – but Kobel in the BVB goal was no longer in danger.
Bielefeld is now challenged in Mainz on Saturday (03/19/2022), Dortmund only plays in Mainz on Wednesday and then on Sunday at 1. FC Köln.
Source: sportschau.de