An injury hit Borussia Dortmund overcame RB Leipzig to hand them their first loss of the season, whilst also bringing to an end their three-game winless run.
Despite struggling with several first-team players out injured, Dortmund were the better side in the first half against Leipzig but struggled to create any danger from open play. The visitors struggled to rook dangerous themselves. Still, they could open the scoring when Loïs Openda’s backheel to Benjamin Seško allowed the Slovenian to prod home the opener. Still, Dortmund were able to respond from a corner when Maximilian Beier turned in Felix Nmecha’s won header.
In the second half, Leipzig did not improve and looked sluggish as if they had underestimated Dortmund heading into the game. Dortmund would then take their deserved lead when Serhou Guirassy turned in a Beier cross and even then Leipzig did not click into gear and struggled to break down the hosts and create any meaningful chances, never challenging Alexander Meyer.
The win will give Dortmund a big confidence boost after their difficult past few weeks, especially with their ongoing injury crisis. Now, the key for Dortmund will be to take advantage of this and put together a winning run towards the end of November as they face Bayern Munich later this month.
While for Leipzig, they deservedly lost. Their usually solid defence looked disjointed throughout the whole game and then their attack lacked fluidity and any real ability to create. This is not down to the absence of Xavi Simons, as with the Leipzig performance, the Dutch international would also have struggled.
Both teams played in the Champions League in midweek with Leipzig travelling to Scotland to face Celtic and Dortmund hosting Sturm Graz.
Borussia Dortmund XI:
Alexander Meyer (5), Pascal Groß (6), Emre Can (7), Nico Schlotterbeck (6), Ramy Bensebaini (6), Marcel Sabitzer (6), Felix Nmecha (6), Maximilian Beier (7), Julian Brandt (6), Jamie Gittens (6), Serhou Guirassy (6)
Others: Ayman Azhil (5), Donyell Malen (5), Cole Campbell (-)
RB Leipzig XI:
Peter Gulacsi (5), Lutsharel Geertruida (6), Lukas Klostermann (4), Willi Orban (5), Benjamin Henrichs (5), Arthur Vermeeren (6), Amadou Haidara (5), Antonio Nusa (5), Christoph Baumgartner (5), Benjamin Seško (6), Loïs Openda (6)
Others: Kevin Kampl (5), Eljif Elmas (5), El Chadaille Bitshiabu (5), Yussuf Poulsen (5), Assan Ouedraogo (-)
GGFN Man of the Match: Maximilian Beier (7)
Beier has struggled for Dortmund since arriving from Hoffenheim for €30m in the summer and it was clear that he was lacking confidence. However, this game gave him the necessary confidence he needs going forward even if his goal came from diverting a header into the net. The 22-year-old created the joint most chances in the match and was overall just very lively for Dortmund on the right wing.
Emre Can also deserves his flowers as after weeks of criticism about his performances, he put in a strong performance at centre-back thwarting Loïs Openda several times when the Belgian was through on goal.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
