Match Report: Borussia Dortmund pick up well earned point in Leipzig

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MARCH 03: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1:1 together with his team mates during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena on March 03, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MARCH 03: Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1:1 together with his team mates during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena on March 03, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund picked up a point with a 1-1 draw against fellow top four hopefuls RB Leipzig on match day 25 in the Bundesliga.

First Half Recap

Dortmund struggled in the opening minutes of the match to retain possession but once they settled in, BVB ended up creating the more clear cut chances of the two teams. Although they created the majority of the chances almost every single one of them were flagged for offside, and rightfully so. Manuel Akanji’s passing ability was on full display, with some great wide long balls and line breaking passes. Something that is much needed to help take some of the attention and creative responsibility away from Julian Weigl. His inexperience on the defensive side of the ball was also evident as well. There’s a lot to be excited about but there are clear signs for caution as BVB fans need to remember he’s not the finished product yet.

Manuel Akanji had a difficult game in the heart of the defense (ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Manuel Akanji had a difficult game in the heart of the defense (ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images)

BVB went into the break tied 1-1, goals from Jean-Kevin Augustin and Marco Reus had the game all tied up. Omer Toprak was caught sleeping and missed Augustin’s run which Naby Keita saw and sent him in on Burki. Augustin made no mistake and slotted home around Burki with a very cool finish. For all the chances they had ruled offside, BVB would not be denied a goal going into the break. Mo Dahoud played Reus through with an exceptional ball, reminding everyone why he was so highly touted coming to Dortmund. Reus rounded Gulásci and brought BVB deservedly back level.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 03: Marco Reus of Dortmund celebrates after he scored a goal to make it 1:1 during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on March 3, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 03: Marco Reus of Dortmund celebrates after he scored a goal to make it 1:1 during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on March 3, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Second Half Recap

The second half started a bit slow but both teams came into dominating the play at different points. A very back and forth half with chances at both ends, neither team can be upset with the point.

Michy Batshuayi had the best chance of the half when Dahoud made a phenomenal run through multiple Leipzig players to square it to him in the 6 yard box. It was at an awkward height and Michy spilled the pass missing the empty net. Bruma came on in the second half for Leipzig and had their best look of the half. He cut in on Piszczek and narrowly missed a far post curler that would have went into a wide open net.

More from BVB Buzz

Maximillian Philipp made his comeback from injury playing the final 12 minutes of the match. Adding another option at winger allows for Pulisic to have a much needed break as he tries to regain his form.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 03: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Marcel Schmelzer of Dortmund is disappointed during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on March 3, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MARCH 03: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Marcel Schmelzer of Dortmund is disappointed during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at Red Bull Arena on March 3, 2018 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images)

Although this match ended as a draw it was one of the more exciting and one of Dortmund’s better games of the Stöger era. They created lots of chances, their passing  around the counter press was also much better than it has been of late. Although still a couple mental lapses on defence, their defending was much more compact against a high quality Leipzig side. This is very encouraging to see as Dortmund head into a crucial month of March with their Europa League tie against RB Salzburg and Bundesliga matches against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich.