Bundesliga, 5th matchday: Reus ends Dortmund’s patience game, Bonucci’s disservice against Hoffenheim

Marco Reus saved Borussia Dortmund from another setback. Four days after the despondent Champions League appearance in Paris (0-2), coach Edin Terzic’s team achieved a hard-fought 1-0 (0-0) win over VfL Wolfsburg. 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.

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.

Mixed debut: Niclas Füllkrug celebrated an unremarkable debut in the BVB starting eleven

Source: AFP/INA FASSBENDER

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.

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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.

Mönchengladbach – RB Leipzig 0:1 (0:0)

Borussia Mönchengladbach is even deeper in crisis after their third home defeat in a row. Last season’s tenth place team lost 1-0 (0-0) to RB Leipzig when long-time Gladbach player Max Eberl returned on Saturday, losing three home games right from the start for the first time in their Bundesliga history. In front of 50,122 spectators, the recently unlucky Timo Werner (75th) scored the winning goal for the guests, who started with six wins from seven competitive games.

As always, the Gladbach fans welcomed the Leipzig team with a whistle concert and a banner saying “No acceptance for RB”. However, there were initially no special activities for Eberl’s first return. Only during the game was an ugly banner briefly visible with reference to the former sports director: “First I’ll get a sick note, then I’ll keep counting one note at a time,” it read. A caricature of Eberl could be seen on a poster.

Four days after the 3-1 opening win in the Champions League at Young Boys Bern, RB coach Marco Rose decided against the big rotation. Only Benjamin Sesko and Fabio Carvalho were new to the starting line-up for the first time, while Yussuf Poulsen and Emil Forsberg had to go to the bench.

However, the hosts took command, standing compactly at the back and with a lot of commitment and strength in the duel, they took dangerous actions in front of the Leipzig goal. The first starting appearance of central defender Nico Elvedi, who extended his contract during the week, and the comeback of Manu Kone ensured stability in the host team.

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At the end of their English week, the guests lacked speed and passing accuracy against the five-man chain that Gladbach formed in defense when they lost the ball. Leipzig’s greatest opportunity to score was missed towards the end of the first half by loan player Xavi Simons, who missed Borussia keeper Moritz Nicolas with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and was also one of the more conspicuous Leipzig players.

The hosts had a little more of the game and had a great opportunity through Rocco Reitz (63′). But the midfielder, who also extended his contract during the week, was denied from close range by former Borussia goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who had a good game for Leipzig. On the other hand, the decision was made by substitute Werner, who made it 1-0 with a shot from a tight angle.

Union Berlin – TSG Hoffenheim 0:2 (0:2)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim spoiled the Bundesliga debut of Union Berlin’s new signing Leonardo Bonucci and celebrated their fourth win in a row. The Kraichgauer team won 2-0 (2-0) in the An der Alten Försterei stadium on Saturday, extending Köpenicker’s negative streak. Across all competitions, it was the Iron Men’s fourth defeat in a row, the last time this happened in Berlin in spring 2020. TSG, on the other hand, climbed to a Champions League place.

In front of around 20,000 spectators, Andrej Kramaric (22nd minute) converted a penalty after a foul by the unlucky Bonucci. Maximilian Beier (38th) increased the score for the guests, who were rarely dangerous but took advantage of their few chances in an ice-cold manner.

Less than 72 hours after his Union debut in the Champions League, Bonucci also celebrated his premiere in the Bundesliga. The 2021 Italian European champion once again replaced the injured Robin Knoche in defense. At 36 years and 145 days old, according to data provider Opta, Bonucci was the oldest outfield player to make his Bundesliga debut in 21 years and he initially did his job well.

Until the 21st minute, the Köpenick team could rely on their Italian haven of calm. The defensive veteran repeatedly saw gaps in Hoffenheim’s ranks and initiated the attacks with impressive passes. When Hoffenheim striker Kramaric made a rare advance into the Union penalty area, Bonucci was only able to stop his opponent with a pluck. The fouled man converted safely from the spot.

A wasted day: Union Berlin’s Leonardo Bonucci was responsible for both goals

Source: AFP/RONNY HARTMANN

The tour gave the guests security. The Hoffenheim team quickly countered a Union loss of the ball via Grischa Prömel. The ex-Köpenicker crossed to Beier, who shot in from close range. Bonucci was a step too late. Things almost got even worse for the Champions League club from Berlin before the break when referee Deniz Aytekin again awarded a penalty. But the video referee intervened – the foul was centimeters from the edge of the penalty area.

Union coach Urs Fischer brought on David Datro Fofana for the second half and the Ivorian revived Berlin’s offensive game. National player Robin Gosens’ crosses also landed increasingly in the guests’ penalty area – although they often landed on the head of defender John Anthony Brooks.

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Hoffenheim concentrated almost exclusively on defending and opened up great opportunities for Union every minute. First, Kevin Behrens (59′) had a great chance to equalize after a discrepancy in the TSG defense, but put the ball just wide of the empty goal from around 20 meters.

Shortly afterwards, Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann fished a shot from Lucas Tousart out of the corner. The Frenchman then hit the side netting from a tight angle. Fofana also tried his luck several times from promising positions – but the Hoffenheim defenders always got a body part in the way.

FC Augsburg – FSV Mainz 05 2:1 (2:1)

Enrico Maaßen paced around the side of the pitch, gesticulating hectically, before the FC Augsburg coach, who was under considerable pressure, was able to celebrate his first win of the season, which was so important for him, after a long injury time. Captain Ermedin Demirovic scored a brace to make it 2-1 (2-1) for FCA against FSV Mainz 05, who were still without a win. Guest coach Bo Svensson disappeared disappointedly into the stadium catacombs.

Demirovic, who was spot-on twice (15th/44th minute), turned the game around in front of 27,310 spectators after the early deficit with a header from Mainz center forward Ludovic Ajorque (6th). After Arne Engels’ red card in the 62nd minute, the Augsburg team defended their narrow lead with passion and a bit of luck.

It was an eventful afternoon in the Augsburg Arena. After 14 minutes, whistles echoed from the stands. At this early stage, Maaßen’s team around the starting eleven returnees Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Iago were wandering around the field disoriented. The Mainz team could do almost as they pleased. Center forward Ajorque’s header goal also lacked resistance and coordination in the center of defense.

After that it could even have been 0:2. But Stefan Bell’s goal was disallowed due to an offside position according to video evidence. The mood of the Augsburg fans quickly turned into celebration. The reason was FCA’s 500th Bundesliga goal, in which Demirovic quickly pushed the ball over the line in the penalty area amid Mainz’s defensive chaos.

The game developed slowly after that. Both teams lacked offensive solutions. Nevertheless, the Augsburg team managed a second goal. After a throw-in and a total of three headers from defender Patric Pfeiffer and Demirovic, the score suddenly became 2-1. Two chances, two goals – it couldn’t be more effective than FCA in the first half of the game.

A serious foul by FCA midfielder Engels on Aymen Barkok, which referee Marco Fritz first punished with a yellow but then, according to the video images, with a red, changed the statics of the game again after a good hour. Being outnumbered, the Augsburg team now had to demonstrate defensive strength, something they had not yet managed to do this season.

Former captain Gouweleeuw was often the focus. The Dutchman saved, among other things, after a failed punch defense by goalkeeper Finn Dahmen, who celebrated his first win in the FC Augsburg jersey against his former club.

FC Bayern – VfL Bochum 7:0 (4:0)

FC Bayern has taken back the top of the table with a shooting festival. The Munich team won 7-0 (4-0) over VfL Bochum, Harry Kane scored three goals in the decisive victory and thus set a new record. The highly superior record champions already had 12:2 shots on goal at the break.

In addition to Kane’s goal record, super joker Mathys Tel also delivered top scores. The youngster has already scored his eighth Bundesliga goal, the last seven of them as a joker – only Youssoufa Moukoko and Florian Wirtz were younger than the 18-year-old Tel when they scored their eighth goal.

The record champions are now one point ahead of VfB Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and TSG Hoffenheim and three points ahead of Leverkusen. Bayer expects 1. FC Heidenheim to be promoted on Sunday and could displace Munich again with a big win.Text

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