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Key Takeaways from Borussia Dortmund’s narrow win over RB Leipzig

By Brian Szlenk Straub

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 19: Axel Witsel of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena on January 19, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images)
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - JANUARY 19: Axel Witsel of Borussia Dortmund celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena on January 19, 2019 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund started the second half of the Bundesliga season with a 1-0 win over RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.

Die Schwarzgelben came into the game under pressure from title rivals Bayern Munich, who had cut Borussia Dortmund’s lead at the top to 3 points with a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim the day prior. Leipzig proved to be a stern test of the title credentials of the Ruhr side. Coming into the game, Dortmund faced several substantial hurdles that stood between them and three crucial points in this year’s title race.

For one, coming into the game, Leipzig had made the Red Bull Arena a fortress this season, with Die Roten Bullen having yet to lose a home game. This, coupled with the fact that Dortmund’s record against Leipzig in the two away matches they had played since Leipzig’s ascendance into the top tier of German football was less than reassuring, the Ruhr side having lost and drawn both prior fixtures.

If only to make matters worse, a slew of injuries had Dortmund going into the game without 4 center backs, with Manuel Akanji, Dan Axel Zagadou, and Omer Toprak all injured, while new signing Leonardo Balerdi is away with Argentina’s Under 20’s side competing in the South American U-20 Championships until February. If Dortmund’s defensive woes were not bad enough, Marco Reus suffered an ankle injury in training, which forced Lucien Favre to leave the Dortmund captain off of the team sheet for this game. In their places, it would be Julian Weigl who started in defense alongside Abdou Diallo, and Maximillian Phillipp who would play behind Mario Gotze.

Without a proper defense and their mercurial captain out as well, it was obvious that this game would be one that would test Dortmund’s depth and resolve. Their response, it has to be said, was nothing short of masterful. Despite the injuries, Dortmund came out 1-0 winners, with Lucien Favre and his side having managed the game to fantastic effect. Let’s take a look at some of the key takeaways from a game that has surely underlined the serious nature of Borussia Dortmund’s title challenge this season.

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