Nico Schlotterbeck on Borussia Dortmund’s improved Bundesliga title race prospects: “So long as the whole thing isn’t decided by March.” | OneFootball

After Bayern Munich unexpectedly fell to Augsburg in the Bundesliga’s matchday 19 15:30 kickoffs, Borussia Dortmund accomplished the practically unthinkable in the Bundesliga Saturday evening “Top-Spiel”. Dortmund – via a 0-3 away win over Union Berlin – actually made up ground on their rivals. With the second half of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign two rounds deep, Dortmund sit eight points behind Bayern in second place.

Dortmund goal-scorer Nico Schlotterbeck had an interesting take on the situation.

Bayern Munich appeared unbeatable

Bayern’s record start to competitive play this year left many wondering if the German record champions may be one of the best footballing teams ever. Vincent Kompany’s FCB won their first 16 competitive fixtures this year. The mighty German giants were eventually halted by a 2-2 draw with Union Berlin in the league on match-day 10. A few weeks later, Arsenal sent Kompany’s men to their first defeat of the season in the Champions League.

Although Mainz would also draw Bayern in the league, the Bavarians remained undefeated in the Bundesliga until this weekend. The fact that Bayern have already dismantled plenty of league opponents by ridiculous scorelines (Bayern’s aggregate goal differential is an absurd 72-16) left many convinced no one would ever fell them. This Bayern team was supposed to be ten-times better than Xabi Alonso’s undefeated 2023/24 squad. 

Nico Schlotterbeck reaches for a pinch of salt

Leverkusen fans chanted in celebration at the preservation of their record. Nico Schlotterbeck wasn’t quite ready to celebrate yet. For the German national team defender, the British idiomatic expression of taking matters “with a pinch of salt” definitely applied to today’s events. Germans (and Americans) take skepticism even further, recomeding something be taken with a “Körnchen” (or grain) of salt.

“Bayern remain Bayern and currently almost unbeatable,” Schlotterbeck remarked in his post-match interview with Sky Germany. “But maybe they were just a centimeter short today and we made up three points. Just so long as the whole thing [the Bundesliga title race] isn’t decided in March. Let’s just keep it going as long as possible.

“And who knows?” Schlotterbeck did make sure to add. “Maybe they’ll stumble. They still have to come to us [on match-day 28 at Signal Iduna Park]. We have the direct duel there. And if it’s only four or five points, then maybe they’ll think twice. We want to still be there when they make mistakes.“

GGFN | Peter Weis