BVB seal dream start after comeback win at Hoffenheim | OneFootball

Coach Niko Kovac still had to do without, among others, Ramy Bensebaini (on the squad situation), trusted the young Joane Gadou and Filippo Mane in defense alongside veteran Waldemar Anton, and deployed Maxi Beier in the “number 10” role this time. He recorded Borussia’s first attacking move in the sixth minute when his effort was deflected behind for a corner. Guirassy produced the first shot on target in the 22nd minute.

Up to that point, BVB had been very focused on safety, while Hoffenheim were the more active side. Anton had to clear several times as the last line of defense. His face showed his dissatisfaction with the play of those ahead of him. Just when the Black and Yellows seemed to be building momentum, TSG found more space and created chances: Gregor Kobel made strong saves against Daghim (30) and Hlozek (34). Mane also injured his thigh, and Kovac reshuffled his players: Svensson into the back three, Beier to the left flank, and new signing Ethan Nwaneri, who had come on as a substitute, took over Beier’s position.

But just before the break, Hoffenheim took the lead. Daghim’s curling effort was blocked, but no Dortmund player got to the ball, Coufal pulled it back from the right side of the box to Avdullahu, who fired home high into the top-left corner from 22 meters.

Borussia came out for the second half with Joey Veerman replacing Felix Nmecha. But at first, little changed in either their approach or their overall display. After more warning shots from Lemperle (49, saved by Kobel) and Kabak (53), Lemperle robbed Gadou of the ball in the 54th minute, but also had some luck as Anton deflected his shot beyond the helpless Kobel and the ball ended up in the net for 2:0.

Shortly after TSG came close to making it 3:0, BVB had their first moment to celebrate. Anton won the ball from Avdullahu in the opposition half and fed it centrally to Guirassy, who kept his composure one-on-one with Baumann and delicately lifted it over him to pull one back for 1:2 (61). Kovac then brought on Luca Reggiani for Gadou and Fabio Silva for Karetsas. And just five minutes after the goal that cut the deficit, a good 10,000 BVB fans were celebrating the equalizer: Kobel’s goal kick, controlled and laid off by Guirassy in the center circle to Fabio Silva bursting through on the inside-left, and Silva placed the ball perfectly off the inside of the left post – 2:2 (66).

In the closing stages, Borussia completed the turnaround. Nwaneri played it left to Fabio Silva, who squared it to Nwaneri, whose cross was slightly deflected by Avdullahu and then turned into his own net by Hajdari (87).

TSG HOFFENHEIM – BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2:3 (1:0)

Bundesliga, Matchday 2

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.