Despite a shaky start, Borussia Dortmund bounced back at Arminia Bielefeld. Two of the BVB goals in the 3:1 win were particularly worth watching.
Early it had looked like Dortmund would respond to the record 4-0 defeat in Amsterdam. But first Dortmund, playing a three-man backline with Can, Hazard, Pongracic and Wolf replacing the injured Schulz, Meunier and Haaland as well as Witsel (bench), missed a double chance through Malen (8th) – then BVB lost the thread.
Arminia, after the 1:1 against Augsburg with Fernandes and Schöpf in the starting eleven for Wimmer and Okugawa, became more and more energetic and registered many high ball wins. However, DSC squandered great chances through the spinning Hack (10th) and Serra running towards Kobel (18th) – the lead was within reach for the East Westphalians.
Can secure, Hummels worth seeing
So it happened that a noticeably unsettled BVB was awarded a foul penalty after Brunner interfered with Malen, which Can safely converted (31st). Only after the lead did the favourites do justice to their role, and shortly before the break Hummels extended the lead with a 20-metre volley (45th).
After the break, Borussia managed the game, even if Bielefeld did get the ball for a while. The substitute Ramos headed in Hitz, who had replaced the injured Kobel, after a corner (55th minute).
Bellingham and the slalom poles – Klos too late
The visitors did little more than they had to in the second period, as Arminia lacked great penetrating power. Substitute Wimmer was unable to get past Hitz when free (68th) – Bellingham did much better on the other side. The young Englishman left three Bielefeld players standing there like slalom poles, overhauled Ortega Moreno and scored an even more beautiful goal than his colleague Hummels in the first period (72.).
The 3:0, which was also justifiable, meant the preliminary decision, although DSC never really let themselves down. However, the cellar-dweller never made good enough use of good opportunities like Schöpf’s (80th). The consolation goal – Hummels had stepped on Wimmer’s foot in the penalty area – finally came too late: Klos’ well-placed penalty kick created a good atmosphere on the Alm, but was only a cosmetic measure (87th).
Arminia continue their DFB Cup campaign on Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) against league rivals Mainz, while BVB face second division side Ingolstadt at home in the same competition 45 minutes earlier.
