“I couldn’t help myself with the celebration,” Niclas Füllkrug said.
Borussia Dortmund dropped points at home in a dramatic 2–2 draw against Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park, leaving the club to face a tough October schedule amid refereeing controversy. The former BVB striker scored the equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time, sparking widespread debate after former Bundesliga referee Manuel Gräfe stated the goal should have been disallowed due to blocking and offside infractions.
Manuel Gräfe Questions Late Füllkrug Equalizer
The 2–2 draw took a controversial turn when Füllkrug headed in a free-kick cross during stoppage time to rescue a point for Werder Bremen. Former Bundesliga referee Manuel Gräfe pointed out a clear rule violation regarding the sequence, telling the media that three visiting players deliberately blocked Dortmund defenders from contesting the ball. Gräfe classified the action as illegal shielding without the ball and active offside, arguing that Christian Dingert’s officiating team missed the infringement.
Disallowed Overhead Kick and Second-Goal Objections
Gräfe also analyzed an earlier disallowed spectacular overhead kick by Ethan Nwaneri, noting that referee Dingert whistled prematurely for minimal contact by Waldemar Anton. According to the former official, Anton made only minimal contact that Füllkrug accepted willingly, making the initial play a normally regulated sequence. On the other side of the ledger, Gräfe acknowledged that Felix Nmecha had potentially obstructed the Werder Bremen Goalkeeper from an offside position during Dortmund’s second goal.
Füllkrug Stike and Post-Match Reactions
For Füllkrug, the late strike marked his first career goal against his former club following his 2023–24 stint in Dortmund. Speaking with Sky after the final whistle, the 33-year-old forward admitted he could not suppress his celebration. He explained that he scored for his current team rather than against his former employers, for whom he still holds deep affection.
The draw halted Dortmund’s momentum at the start of the fifth Bundesliga matchday. Managing director for sport Lars Ricken expressed frustration over the outcome, noting that the club had intended to kill off matches of this nature. Head coach Niko Kovač urged calm despite the late collapse, pointing out that such dramatic turnarounds happen in football and noting that the team remains on a positive developmental path.
Dortmund Prepares for Grueling October Schedule
The dropped points against Werder Bremen compound a demanding fixture list for Borussia Dortmund as they approach a high-profile showdown against FC Bayern Munich. Prior to visiting the reigning champions, the squad faces a demanding travel schedule and multiple competitions across Europe and domestic play.
The upcoming calendar features a UEFA Champions League away fixture against FK Bodø/Glimt on October 14, followed by a Bundesliga trip to 1. FC Union Berlin on October 17. Dortmund then travels to face Sabah FK in Europe on October 20 before hosting Eintracht Frankfurt in the league on October 24. Werder Bremen will return to Signal Iduna Park on October 27 for a second-round DFB-Pokal clash before the BVB squad travels to Munich on October 31.
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