Goal festival in Dortmund: BVB wins in Haller’s comeback against FC Augsburg

16th matchday

Borussia Dortmund started the new football year successfully with a hard-fought victory when Sébastien Haller made his highly acclaimed Bundesliga comeback after his cancer illness. The Revierklub conceded three goals in the 4: 3 (2: 2) against FC Augsburg on Sunday, but always came back.

Jude Bellingham (30th minute) and Nico Schlotterbeck (42nd) as well as substitutes Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (75th) and Giovanni Reyna (80th) scored for the hosts. Arne Maier (40′), Ermedin Demirovic (45′ + 2′) and new signing David Colina (77′) each equalized for Augsburg. After the victory on matchday 16, BVB is again hoping for a place in the Champions League. With 28 points, Dortmund are still sixth, seven points behind leaders FC Bayern. Augsburg slipped to 15th place in the table. Haller came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute and made his first competitive appearance for BVB after his cancer illness.

Unlike the two defeats before the winter break in Wolfsburg (0:2) and Mönchengladbach (2:4), BVB took charge from the start. But despite all the effort, there was initially a lack of ideas and speed to shake the Augsburg back line. Maassen’s well-aligned guests only allowed Donyell Malen (18′) a chance to score in the first 20 minutes.

But with increasing pressure from Borussia, more gaps opened up. Youssoufa Moukoko (23rd), who ended the month-long transfer poker game the day before and extended it to BVB until 2026, missed the possible 1-0 when he missed the goal after a pass from Julian Brandt. FCA goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz was beaten seven minutes later. England international Bellingham sent his opponent Arne Engels out with a body fake and hit the net from 18 yards.

This Dortmund lead was the prelude to a turbulent final phase of the first half. An unnecessary loss of ball by Nico Schlotterbeck on the outside line brought FC Augsburg back into the game. Maier took advantage of the blunder and provided a surprising equalizer when the guests had their first chance. When Schlotterbeck made up for his mistake a little later and headed in after a Brandt free-kick to take the lead again, BVB seemed to be back on course. But FCA hit back just as quickly. Demirovic refined Engels’ beautiful pass to make it 2-2.

Even after the restart, Augsburg remained an uncomfortable opponent for BVB and defended their own goal with great passion and skill. That’s why BVB coach Edin Terzic reacted and replaced the weak Moukoko with his long-missing fellow striker Haller. But even the ovations of the fans for the center forward, who suffered from testicular cancer last summer, did not bring Borussia back to life. Substitute Bynoe-Gittens put her back in the lead, but she had to accept the equalizer again immediately. Only Reyna’s shot, which is well worth seeing, ensured the lucky victory.

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