Dortmunds beat Augsburg 2-1, convincing especially in the second half and leaving a higher victory unanswered.
Not surprisingly, FCA, who had made five changes after the 3-0 away defeat in Freiburg – Framberger, Dorsch, the ill Hahn, Vargas and Niederlechner were replaced by Gruezo, Strobl, Maier, Cordova and Zeqiriin – formed a compact order. With the plan to set pinpricks, which Caligiuri succeeded in doing early on (3.).
Guerreiro scores early from the spot
For Dortmund, Marco Rose had sent on Brandt and Wolf for Dahoud and Hazard after the 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. BVB were the more active team from the start, had a lot of possession and were determined at first. Gouweleeuw just saved from the broken through Reus (6.), but committed an unnecessary foul against the agile Malen a little later – penalty, which Guerreiro casually converted for the early lead (10.).
The visitors reacted to the deficit with a little more staggering, but struggled to get into the final third at all and earned themselves two quick yellow cards (Gruezo, Oxford) after losing the ball with tactical offences.
FCA jubilant after Zeqiri’s debut
BVB controlled the game, largely keeping their biting opponents at bay, but offensively now delivered nothing more than a measured display. Apart from a Malen advance (21.), it was hardly dangerous for FCA. Highlights were rare, the Rose-elf more or less only administered despite a clear plus in possession (72 percent) – and had to swallow the equaliser out of nowhere: Maier’s brilliant long-range shot clanged off the crossbar and Kobel’s back to Zeqiri, who concentrated and dusted off his first goal – 1:1 (35.).
Despite Dortmund’s increased presence in the opponent’s half, they went into the dressing room with this result against the more defensive Fuggerstädter.
Brandt’s low shot gives Dortmund the lead again
Borussia’s first successful attack after the change gave them the lead again when Brandt’s low shot from 18 metres could not be decisively deflected by Gikiewicz (51st).
From the kick-off, Augsburg were happy again, but Zeqiri’s goal did not count because of a previous foul on Akanji (52.). FCA held out, but lacked the means. BVB, who were much more determined in the second half, came very close to 3:1 three times, but Reus (57th) and Joker Hazard (66th) only hit the crossbar and the post, Reus missed another top-class chance (70th). On the other side, only Pedersen appeared dangerously in front of goal (58.).
Both coaches had substituted a lot of new personnel – before FCA tried to save at least a point with a triple substitution, the Rose eleven again failed to score the reassuring two-goal lead (77.).
Also in the final phase, BVB was closer to the third goal (Reus, 83rd) than FCA, who did not manage to make a decisive impact. Borussia thus celebrated their eighth home win in a row.
Dortmund have another home game against Mainz (Saturday, 3.30 pm) after the international break. Augsburg welcome Bielefeld the following day (17.30).
