Borussia Dortmund has caught up with league leaders FC Bayern Against a strong VfB Stuttgartthe 2-1 winning goal was a long time coming.
BVB had a great chance to pull to within a point of the record champions after Bayern’s slip-up in Augsburg. Compared to the 1:2 in Leipzig, Guerreiro returned for Pongracic (bench), but Borussia faced an unpleasant opponent from the start.
Stuttgart, who slipped into the bottom of the table after the 0:1 against Bielefeld and with Müller, Mavropanos, Förster and Coulibaly instead of Bredlow, Nartey, Mola and Didavi (all on the bench) in the starting eleven, built up courageously and started high. After Reus’ free-kick chance (7th), the home side tried in vain for a long time, because VfB hardly allowed anything to happen, without putting their foot in it.
Ex-Stuttgart Kobel prevents VfB from falling behind
First and foremost, Akanji repeatedly stopped dangerous counterattacks by the visitors, who were lucky when the free-running Malen headed over from eight metres (13.). Shortly afterwards, however, Förster also came close (15.). For long stretches of the first period, both teams met on equal terms, and Stuttgart even had the best chance: Mangala’s header was volleyed by Coulibaly in the penalty area, but ex-Stuttgart Kobel made a brilliant save in the Dortmund goal (38th).
BVB had a great chance to come within one point of the record champions after Bayern’s slip-up in Augsburg. Compared to the 1:2 in Leipzig, Guerreiro returned for Pongracic (bench), but Borussia faced an unpleasant opponent from the start.
Stuttgart, who slipped into the bottom of the table after the 0:1 against Bielefeld and with Müller, Mavropanos, Förster and Coulibaly instead of Bredlow, Nartey, Mola and Didavi (all on the bench) in the starting eleven, built up courageously and started high. After Reus’ free-kick chance (7th), the home side tried in vain for a long time, because VfB hardly allowed anything to happen, without putting their foot in it.
Ex-Stuttgart Kobel prevents VfB from falling behind
First and foremost, Akanji repeatedly stopped dangerous counterattacks by the visitors, who were lucky when the free-running Malen headed over from eight metres (13.). Shortly afterwards, however, Förster also came close (15.). For long stretches of the first period, both teams met on equal terms, and Stuttgart even had the best chance: Mangala’s header was volleyed by Coulibaly in the penalty area, but ex-Stuttgart Kobel made a brilliant save in the Dortmund goal (38th).
Dortmund, who are now only one point behind Bayern, have an important Champions League away game at Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday before the trip to Wolfsburg on Saturday. On Friday evening, VfB, who have slipped to 16th place, host Mainz in the league.
