Defending champions Borussia Dortmund struggled for a long time against Ingolstadt in the second round of the DFB Cup. The Schanzers defended with commitment before a joker finally broke the spell.
“We have to look after the boys,” said Marco Rose before the game, explaining that he had left Reus, Akanji and Hazard on the bench for the time being after the 3:1 in Bielefeld, with Reinier, Meunier and Witsel starting in their place. Kobel (thigh blister) and Malen (stomach bug) were simply not fit in time, Hitz and Tigges replaced them.
Despite the many absences, the opponents from Ingolstadt were of course still the clear underdogs – also because the Schanzers themselves have a long list of injuries to complain about. To make matters worse, Eckert Ayensa was injured in the 0:1 loss at Erzgebirge Aue (broken collarbone) and Röhl played in his place. Despite the omens, the bottom team in the 2nd division, with Röseler, Preißinger and Kaya starting in place of Cavadias, Bilbija and Kutschke, made things difficult for the favourites from the start.
Ingolstadt standing deep but well
With a defensive five-man backline, the Schanzers lined up at their own penalty area and with a closed defensive strategy let numerous offensive combinations of Dortmund bounce off. BVB had more than 80 percent of the ball, but mostly too little speed in their actions. First approaches were made by Bellingham (7th) and Wolf (11th).
The FCI only dared to come out of their own half from minute 25 onwards. BVB seemed to be warned, tried to tighten the reins again and promptly had the two best chances of the first half: Wolf forced Buntic to make the first save, seconds later Bellingham made the crossbar tremble (27th). Both shots were from distance and the favourites rarely found a gap in the defence. Dortmund almost celebrated after all, but Hummels’ goal was disallowed after an offensive foul by Can (31st).
Dortmund struggle – Buntic’s ear saves
BVB continued to struggle after the break, partly because Ingolstadt just wouldn’t let up. Dortmund rarely brought much pace into the game. And when things did move quickly, the Ingolstadt team always got a part of their body in between – even if it was only the left ear of keeper Buntic, who directed Tigges’ header onto the crossbar (52nd). All too often, the attacking efforts were simply too uninspired.
The joker stings
In the 71st minute Rose brought on his “boys”, whom he actually wanted to spare: Reus and Hazard came into the game. Both were immediately fully in the game and finally things went quickly for the defending champions. Hazard initiated the attack himself, then started through from the left to the five-metre area. Via Reus and Reinier, the ball came to Brandt, who in turn laid it off ideally for Hazard – 1:0 Dortmund (72.).
Now the spell was broken: Dortmund combined much more fluently and also found the gaps in the second-division team’s defence. Hazard again completed a beautiful move at the second post to make the final score 2:0 (81). According to the TV pictures, the goal scorer may have been slightly offside – but there is no VAR in the second cup round. The defending champions are now in the DFB Cup round of sixteen. Who they will play will be decided on Sunday when the draw is made.
In the league, Dortmund will play against 1. FC Köln on Saturday (3.30 pm). Ingolstadt will play Jahn Regensburg on Sunday (1.30 p.m.)
