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Paco Alcacer’s late heroics help Borussia Dortmund move back to the top of the Bundesliga

By Ellis Weldon

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Team of Dortmund celebrate their team's first goal scored by Paco Alcacer (not pictured) of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images )
DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Team of Dortmund celebrate their team's first goal scored by Paco Alcacer (not pictured) of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images ) /
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Borussia Dortmund were without their captain Marco Reus on matchday 27 but that didn’t stop them from securing a crucial win against Wolfsburg ahead of visiting Bayern Munich next weekend.

Dortmund’s Spanish forward Paco Alcacer (Front) celebrates scoring 1:0 with Dortmund’s team players during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund
Dortmund’s Spanish forward Paco Alcacer (Front) celebrates scoring 1:0 with Dortmund’s team players during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund v VfL Wolfsburg on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund /

The first half began with neither team controlling the play. Both teams were maintaining possession without creating much as far as dangerous changes are concerned. Borussia Dortmund’s first real chance came from a free kick roughly 30 yards out. Mario Gotze played the ball into Dan-Axel Zagadou who got his head on it but was unable to find the net.

Dortmund pressed well without the ball but were finding it difficult to maintain possession in the opponent’s half. Their big chance in the first 20 minutes started with a beautiful bit of skill by Raphaël Guerreiro on the right touch line, who found Gotze in some open space on the right flank. Gotze’s ball into the box found Paco Alcacer’s foot but he ended up striking it over the bar.

Shortly after Paco’s attempt, Wolfsburg had a chance of their own as Wout Weghort’s strike from the edge of the box deflected off Zagadou’s foot and it headed straight for the top corner. Roman Burki made his first save of the game as he sprawled across the net and was able to push it out of bounds.

Dormund finished the first half strong and created a few chances of their own. Likely the best chance of the half came off the shoulder (unfortunately) of Zagadou. Guerreiro whipped in a free kick by the left corner and Zagadou was left alone right at the top of the 6 yard box but mistimed his jump and hit it with his shoulder instead.

Wolsburg came out strong at the beginning of the second half as left back Jérôme Roussillon was finding space on the wing and getting free crosses into the Dortmund box. The home side was more than able to contain the crosses as none of them were finding any Wolfsburg feet. Just three minutes into the second half Dortmund’s injury woes continued as Abdou Diallo had to leave the pitch. Hakimi came on as his replacement – but would eventually go down as well in the 72nd minute.

Dortmund’s first chance of the second half came from a well struck shot by Jadon Sancho, but Koen Casteels was up to the task and made a clean save on the strike. This would be Dortmund’s only real chance in the first 25 minutes of the second half.

DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Team of Dortmund celebrate their team’s first goal scored by Paco Alcacer (not pictured) of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images )
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Team of Dortmund celebrate their team’s first goal scored by Paco Alcacer (not pictured) of Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images ) /

They were able to retain possession better in the latter of the second half but were unable to create in the final third. Then a golden opportunity presented itself. After a pass to Alcacer at the top of the box, John Brooks fouled the Spaniard from behind, leaving Dortmund with a free kick on the edge of the box in the 90th minute. Alcacer converted the free kick to give Borussia Dortmund the first lead of the game. Just three minutes later, he doubled their advantage off a beautiful counter attack run by Jadon Sancho.

While neither team really dominated, Dortmund converted their final chances of the game and reinstated themselves at the top of the Bundesliga table. They kept Wolfsburg from creating any real chances and Burki was up to the task when needed. Borussia Dortmund now find themselves with a three game win streak in the Bundesliga just before Der Klassiker next weekend.

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