BVB lose 2-1 away to Union Berlin

Match Report

BVB lose 2-1 away to Union Berlin

Borussia Dortmund have signed off for the international break with a defeat. BVB lost 2-1 (2-0) away to 1. FC Union Berlin on Matchday 6 of the Bundesliga season.

"}}" id="news-xf__teaser-text" class="cmp-text">

Borussia Dortmund have signed off for the international break with a defeat. BVB lost 2-1 (2-0) away to 1. FC Union Berlin on Matchday 6 of the Bundesliga season.

Boris Rupert reporting from Berlin

\n

22,000 spectators, a sold-out stadium and a charged atmosphere at the Alte Försterei. Borussia tried hard but lacked ideas and penetration in their play; Union, meanwhile, were aggressive and consistent and deservedly led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Vogt (penalty, 26) and Vertessen (45). BVB improved significantly after the restart and pulled a goal back through Ryerson on the hour mark. Union exclusively resorted to defending and saw the 2-1 scoreline over the line.

\n

The scenario:
\n Ninth versus fifth. Only two points separated both teams prior to kick-off. Union had conceded the second-fewest goals but the attack had only managed to score four times. BVB had won six of the previous seven meetings, including the most recent three in a row.

\n

Personnel matters:   
Karim Adeyemi and Julien Duranville are out until November, while Giovanni Reyna remains sidelined too. That meant three attacking wingers were unavailable. There was only one change to the team that had run out 7-1 victors against Celtic in the Champions League four days earlier: Maximilian Beier replaced the injured Adeyemi. In Cole Campbell, Kjell Wätjen and Almugera Kabar, there were three youngsters on the bench.

\n\n \n\n

Tactics:
In Dortmund's 4-2-3-1 formation, Beier pushed far forward in possession and played as a deep-lying second striker alongside Guirassy. Couto advanced into the vacated space down the attacking right. Left-back Ryerson also pushed high up during build-up play. Groß then operated alongside the two central defenders Schlotterbeck and Anton. Union lined up in a 3-4-3 formation. Defensive leader Vogt provided an additional passing option in midfield during build-up play. Without possession, Trimmel and Rothe expanded the back three into a five-man rearguard.

\n

The match & analysis:
\n BVB pressed their opponents high and were very attack-minded in their approach but initially could not break through. It was not until the 19th minute that they registered their first shot through Couto from 18 metres. Shortly afterwards, Beier cut the ball back from the right wing to Guirassy but the striker failed to connect properly with the bobbling ball from 20 metres out.

\n\n \n\n

Union attacked quickly and directly after turning over possession, registered the first two shots at goal of the match and were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute. BVB had lost the ball in the middle of the Berlin half and Union switched the play quickly with a through-ball over to the left flank. Hollerbach entered the penalty area from the left, Schlotterbeck stuck his leg out and Reichel immediately pointed to the spot. Vogt fired unstoppably into the top-right corner to make it 1-0.

\n

The Union players were always quick to get behind the ball and gave hardly anything away. The first moment of danger came following a short corner in the 37th minute: Can's shot from distance took a deflection off Guirassy but flew narrowly wide. At the other end, Groß stopped Jeong from making it 2-0 when he cleared for a corner (40). But Vertessen fired the ball into the Dortmund net from range to make it 2-0 shortly before the break. The ball bounced from Rothe to Vertessen following a cleared corner and he shot immediately. Kobel saw the strike too late and had no chance (45).

\n\n \n\n

Not much initially changed at the beginning of the second period. Vertessen tested Kobel from distance (53). But the chance to pull a goal back came a short while later. Schlotterbeck played it over to Guirassy, who got the better of his marker Vogt and laid the ball off to Brandt. He spotted Beier over on the right, but his shot towards the near corner from around 13 metres was saved by Rönnow (55). Vogt, who was on a booking, was substituted shortly afterwards. For BVB, Nmecha and Malen came on for Groß and Gittens. The goal back came directly before the double substitution. Gittens was challenged after receiving Can's pass but Brandt quickly stepped in and played it over to the left corner of the box, where Ryerson latched onto the ball and fired into the far corner (62).

\n

Dortmund pushed but Union brought on five pairs of fresh legs, continued to cover ground and keep compact in defence, had a good chance on the counter via Skarke (Kobel saved with his foot, 73) and then deployed time-wasting tactics in almost every situation. There were seven minutes of stoppage time, but no breakthrough for BVB.

\n

Outlook:
The league campaign will now pause for an international break for the second time this term. BVB will resume their season with a home game against 1. FC St. Pauli in 13 days (Friday 18 October at 20:30 CEST).

\n

Teams & goals

\n

\n

\n

Bundesliga Matchday 6
\n 1. FC UNION BERLIN 2-1 (2-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND

\n

Union Berlin: Rönnow - Doekhi, Vogt (Querfeld, 60), Leite - Trimmel, Kemlein (Schäfer, 67), Khedira, Rothe - Jeong (Skarke, 67), Hollerbach (Haberer, 77) - Vertessen (Jordan, 67)
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel - Couto, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson (Bensebaini, 86) - Can (Sabitzer, 76), Groß (Nmecha, 63) - Beier, Brandt, Gittens (Malen, 63) - Guirassy
Substitutes: Schwolow, Roussillon, Benes, Skov - Meyer, Süle, Campbell, Wätjen, Kabar
\n Goals: 1-0 Vogt (penalty for foul on Hollerbach by Schlotterbeck, 26), 2-0 Vertessen (Rothe, 45), 2-1 Ryerson (Brandt, 62)
Corners: 3-3 (3-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 5-3 (3-1)
Referee: Reichel (Sindelfingen), yellow cards: Vogt, Jeong, Rothe, Trimmel - Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Anton, Bensebaini
Attendance: 22,012 (sold-out), weather: overcast, 13 degrees

"}}" id="text-e9c8d27325" class="cmp-text">

Boris Rupert reporting from Berlin

22,000 spectators, a sold-out stadium and a charged atmosphere at the Alte Försterei. Borussia tried hard but lacked ideas and penetration in their play; Union, meanwhile, were aggressive and consistent and deservedly led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Vogt (penalty, 26) and Vertessen (45). BVB improved significantly after the restart and pulled a goal back through Ryerson on the hour mark. Union exclusively resorted to defending and saw the 2-1 scoreline over the line.

The scenario:
Ninth versus fifth. Only two points separated both teams prior to kick-off. Union had conceded the second-fewest goals but the attack had only managed to score four times. BVB had won six of the previous seven meetings, including the most recent three in a row.

Personnel matters:
Karim Adeyemi and Julien Duranville are out until November, while Giovanni Reyna remains sidelined too. That meant three attacking wingers were unavailable. There was only one change to the team that had run out 7-1 victors against Celtic in the Champions League four days earlier: Maximilian Beier replaced the injured Adeyemi. In Cole Campbell, Kjell Wätjen and Almugera Kabar, there were three youngsters on the bench.

Tactics:
In Dortmund's 4-2-3-1 formation, Beier pushed far forward in possession and played as a deep-lying second striker alongside Guirassy. Couto advanced into the vacated space down the attacking right. Left-back Ryerson also pushed high up during build-up play. Groß then operated alongside the two central defenders Schlotterbeck and Anton. Union lined up in a 3-4-3 formation. Defensive leader Vogt provided an additional passing option in midfield during build-up play. Without possession, Trimmel and Rothe expanded the back three into a five-man rearguard.

The match & analysis:
BVB pressed their opponents high and were very attack-minded in their approach but initially could not break through. It was not until the 19th minute that they registered their first shot through Couto from 18 metres. Shortly afterwards, Beier cut the ball back from the right wing to Guirassy but the striker failed to connect properly with the bobbling ball from 20 metres out.

Union attacked quickly and directly after turning over possession, registered the first two shots at goal of the match and were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute. BVB had lost the ball in the middle of the Berlin half and Union switched the play quickly with a through-ball over to the left flank. Hollerbach entered the penalty area from the left, Schlotterbeck stuck his leg out and Reichel immediately pointed to the spot. Vogt fired unstoppably into the top-right corner to make it 1-0.

The Union players were always quick to get behind the ball and gave hardly anything away. The first moment of danger came following a short corner in the 37th minute: Can's shot from distance took a deflection off Guirassy but flew narrowly wide. At the other end, Groß stopped Jeong from making it 2-0 when he cleared for a corner (40). But Vertessen fired the ball into the Dortmund net from range to make it 2-0 shortly before the break. The ball bounced from Rothe to Vertessen following a cleared corner and he shot immediately. Kobel saw the strike too late and had no chance (45).

Not much initially changed at the beginning of the second period. Vertessen tested Kobel from distance (53). But the chance to pull a goal back came a short while later. Schlotterbeck played it over to Guirassy, who got the better of his marker Vogt and laid the ball off to Brandt. He spotted Beier over on the right, but his shot towards the near corner from around 13 metres was saved by Rönnow (55). Vogt, who was on a booking, was substituted shortly afterwards. For BVB, Nmecha and Malen came on for Groß and Gittens. The goal back came directly before the double substitution. Gittens was challenged after receiving Can's pass but Brandt quickly stepped in and played it over to the left corner of the box, where Ryerson latched onto the ball and fired into the far corner (62).

Dortmund pushed but Union brought on five pairs of fresh legs, continued to cover ground and keep compact in defence, had a good chance on the counter via Skarke (Kobel saved with his foot, 73) and then deployed time-wasting tactics in almost every situation. There were seven minutes of stoppage time, but no breakthrough for BVB.

Outlook:
The league campaign will now pause for an international break for the second time this term. BVB will resume their season with a home game against 1. FC St. Pauli in 13 days (Friday 18 October at 20:30 CEST).

Teams & goals

Bundesliga Matchday 6
1. FC UNION BERLIN 2-1 (2-0) BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Union Berlin: Rönnow - Doekhi, Vogt (Querfeld, 60), Leite - Trimmel, Kemlein (Schäfer, 67), Khedira, Rothe - Jeong (Skarke, 67), Hollerbach (Haberer, 77) - Vertessen (Jordan, 67)
Bor. Dortmund: Kobel - Couto, Anton, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson (Bensebaini, 86) - Can (Sabitzer, 76), Groß (Nmecha, 63) - Beier, Brandt, Gittens (Malen, 63) - Guirassy
Substitutes: Schwolow, Roussillon, Benes, Skov - Meyer, Süle, Campbell, Wätjen, Kabar
Goals: 1-0 Vogt (penalty for foul on Hollerbach by Schlotterbeck, 26), 2-0 Vertessen (Rothe, 45), 2-1 Ryerson (Brandt, 62)
Corners: 3-3 (3-1 at half-time), chance ratio: 5-3 (3-1)
Referee: Reichel (Sindelfingen), yellow cards: Vogt, Jeong, Rothe, Trimmel - Schlotterbeck, Sabitzer, Anton, Bensebaini
Attendance: 22,012 (sold-out), weather: overcast, 13 degrees