Borussia Dortmund 4-4 Schalke: Five things we learned from the Rivierderby

Borussia Dortmund threw away a four goal lead as Schalke’s second half heroics helped them get a 4-4 draw at the Signal Iduna Park.

The arch-rivals were involved in a pulsating match, and it was a classic game of two halves. But the manner in which Peter Bosz’ side capitulated after the hour mark, plenty of questions are being asked of both the manager and the players. Borussia Dortmund are now fifth in the table and despite Bayern’s shock loss, their title challenge seems to have gone up in smokes.

Here are five things we learned from Borussia Dortmund’s collapse against Schalke 04.

Pulisic makes history

There is no doubt that Christian Pulisic is one of the brightest talents in Europe. The 19-year old has great potential and has already shown just how good he can be. The American winger celebrated another milestone in yesterday’s game as he became the youngest non-German player in Bundesliga history to notch up 50 league appearances. Pulisic is already a wanted by Europe’s biggest clubs, but Dortmund fans will be hoping to see him rack up plenty more appearances for the club.

Peter Bosz’ time is up

The Dutchman arrived at Borussia Dortmund with great expectations, having done well with a youthful Ajax side last season. And despite, a fantastic start to the season, Bosz and his side have thrown away what could have been a great opportunity to challenge Bayern for the title.

In the last two months, Borussia Dortmund have only won one game, and that was against a third division side. In that period, they have drawn twice against lowly Apoel, been beaten by two promoted sides in the league, and their long unbeaten record at home has gone up in flames. Not to mention, they have been knocked out of the Champions League and are fifth in the league.

It took two months for Bosz to finally change his formation, and when it worked, he changed back to his old tactics, that showed Dortmund’s ineptness and helped Schalke in their unbelievable comeback. And to say that his substitutions did not help their cause would be an understatement.

Dortmund are in free-fall and there are no wins in sight. Peter Bosz needs to go.

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Second half woes

Dortmund have played three games since the latest international break, and in each of those three games, they have surrendered in the second half. Against Stuttgart, they conceded early in the second half, and almost as if accepting their fate, they gave up and failed to cause the newly promoted side any problems.

Against Tottenham, they took the lead in the first half, but their poor defending allowed Spurs to get back in the game and win it, knocking Dortmund out of the Champions League.

And it was more of the same against Schalke as they conceded four goals in the last half hour.

Whether its the lack of stamina or the lack of concentration. Or if it’s something to do with training. Or maybe the players are not playing for the manager. But their lackluster second half performances need to be looked at and worked upon, or it will be very hard for them to win games.

Sahin shows his true love for Dortmund once again

After the match ended, chaos ensued as the emotions boiled over as the players from both teams were involved in a physical altercation. It was started by Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, who turned in the direction of Dortmund fans and celebrated provocatively, pointing to his Schalke logo.

But Nuri Sahin was having none of it. He went to Fahrmann and to talk to the goalkeeper and it resulted in other players from both teams getting involved. Both Sahin and Fahrmann were shown yellow cards.

Some Dortmund fans nearly joined the brawl as they broke a fence and had to be prevented by the police from going over.

Dortmund made to regret first half tweets

Borussia Dortmund fans were in dreamland in the first half. Less than a third of the game gone, and they were already up by four goals against their biggest rivals. And many fans, and even the official Borussia Dortmund account tweeted GIFs and comments, poking fun of Schalke 04.

But the Royal Blues’ second half comeback helped them earn a dramatic draw. And Schalke fans had their responses ready for those first half tweets. While Borussia Dortmund were celebrating as if Christmas came early this year, it was their rivals who had the last laugh.

Now Dortmund fans will be hoping that their club can get back to winning ways when they take on another tough opponent, Bayer Leverkusen next weekend.

Next: Player ratings from Dortmund's disastrous choke against Schalke