GOlden match point for Borussia Dortmund in the dramatic master thriller: Edin Terzic’s team mercilessly exploited Bayern Munich’s through ball thanks to Sebastien Haller and took the lead in the table with a 3-0 (0-0) win at FC Augsburg before the season finale. With a win next Saturday in the home game against Mainz, BVB would be German champions for the ninth time, for the first time since 2012.
The clearly superior Borussia seized the opportunity after Bayern’s 3-1 draw against Leipzig: in front of 30,660 spectators, striker Haller scored the acclaimed lead in the 59th minute – and six minutes before the end also the second goal. Julian Brandt (90+3) scored the final score. FCA were outnumbered from the 38th minute after Felix Uduokhai saw red for an emergency brake.
BVB ended the away curse that had been going on for three months just in time. Since the 1-0 win in Hoffenheim on February 25, Borussia had not won in six away games until Sunday.
For FCA, who have only been successful in one of their last ten games, things are getting tight again in the relegation battle. Only two points separate the Swabians from the relegation place before the last game in Gladbach. The direct relegation is unrealistic due to the much better goal difference compared to Schalke 04 (three points behind).
The Dortmund fans were in a masterful mood even before kick-off. “Only BVB will be German champions,” they sang loudly. Not even the absence of Jude Bellingham could dampen confidence. As expected, the young star was absent due to persistent knee problems, but he is hoping for a comeback against Mainz.
game to a goal
Even without the Englishman, the determined Borussia quickly took the initiative. FCA could hardly free themselves from the pressure of the guests. Brandt, Marius Wolf and Karim Adeyemi caused danger early on.
It was a one goal game. Haller (20′) and Brandt (33′) failed because of the strong reaction of Tomas Koubek, then Niklas Süle hit the post with his head (40′). Shortly before that, Uduokhai had been sent off due to an emergency brake on Donyell Malen after video evidence. It was at least a debatable decision. The FCA got into even more trouble from then on. The bulwark held until the break.
Even after the change, the same picture: a BVB assault, in which Emre Can (54th) only hit the post before Haller redeemed Borussia. His shot bounced off the inside post from a tight angle. The joy almost lasted only seconds, but the substitute Cardona found his master in Gregor Kobel in the only FCA chance up to that point. The game changed – BVB showed nerves that Haller finally calmed down.
