Borussia Dortmund ultimately completed their compulsory task against bottom side Fürth in style. However, the advantage of the house-high favourites was not as clear as the result suggested.
Stefan Leitl could no longer hold it together on the coach’s bench. As soon as the half-time whistle blew, he stormed onto the pitch and complained vehemently to referee Daniel Schlager, who had not sent off Bellingham, who had already been cautioned, after a risky challenge on Christiansen. Instead, the coach himself received a yellow card. The fact that it had become so heated at the end of the first half could be seen as a compliment: His team had imposed more of a fight on the favourites than BVB would have liked.
Although BVB coach Marco Rose had brought in more creative personnel in Witsel, Brandt and Hazard for Dahoud, Can (both on the bench) and Wolf (muscular problems) after the 1:1 in Bochum, the BVB hardly got any structure in its offensive play. In the first 20 minutes, the second-placed team did not create a single serious opportunity – also because Fürth were surprisingly stable defensively, as they were in the 1:0 win against Union Berlin.
VAR intervenes: Haaland converts from the spot
Despite the first home win in Bundesliga history against Union, Fürth coach Stefan Leitl had made three changes and, in addition to Abiama, only benched goalscorer Nielsen and captain Hrgota. New in the eleven were Dudziak, Itten and Leweling, who actually had the first good chance of the game after just a quarter of an hour (14.). Hummels saw yellow shortly afterwards for a fierce tackle and grumbled in the direction of his teammates – the defender was visibly unhappy with the Westphalians’ weak start.
The first shot on goal for Fürth found its way into the net, but Hazard’s goal was disallowed for offside after VAR intervention (21.). But the second chance of the still largely unimaginative Dortmund team also resulted in a goal – this time a legal one: Haaland shot at Bauer’s outstretched hand in the penalty area, after studying the video footage referee Schlager pointed to the spot – and Haaland converted confidently (33.).
Reus misses the double
BVB almost used the tailwind of the lead to strike twice, but Reus failed to beat Burchert and the surprised Haaland pushed the rebound past the empty goal (36.). Reus again created another opportunity for the home side with a free-kick (44th), but they repeatedly made mistakes in their play with the ball. Itten, for example, finished a great counter-attacking chance too inaccurately (38th).
Whistles from the stands – Haaland scores a brace
Dortmund started the second period without Bellingham, who was in acute danger of being sent off after his challenge just before the break. The yellow card the Englishman had seen earlier was his 5th of the season – meaning an early winter break for the midfielder. His replacement Dahoud brought a little more structure into the BVB game, but in the front third the BVB remained quite unimaginative. Instead, Fürth had a great chance to equalise: Leweling’s direct shot went right between the goal and substitute Nielsen (62nd).
As a result, Fürth had more and more of the game and numerous corners, while Dortmund slowed down again and again – and even drew whistles from the spectators midway through the second half. It was not until about a quarter of an hour before the end that Dortmund regained more control of the game and acted more confidently. And just like in the first half, BVB took the first chance after the break – through Haaland, of course: After a free-kick cross from Brandt, the Norwegian was only given escort by Bauer and headed safely in for 2:0 (82nd).
Malen sets the final point
The game was now decided – and it even became worthy of the title: Substitute Malen finished off an artistic ball reception through Bauer’s legs for the 3:0 final score (89th). BVB remain six points behind league leaders Bayern and host Hertha BSC next Saturday evening (18:30) to close out the first half of the season. Bottom of the table Fürth hosts FC Augsburg at 3.30 p.m.
