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Borussia Dortmund: Win over Borussia Mönchengladbach could be a season defining one

By Adam Bakr

Dortmund's Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates scoring the 1 - 2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund in Moenchengladbach, western Germany on March 7, 2020. (Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Dortmund's Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates scoring the 1 - 2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund in Moenchengladbach, western Germany on March 7, 2020. (Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Dortmund’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates scoring the 1 – 2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund in Moenchengladbach, western Germany on March 7, 2020. ((Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Dortmund’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi celebrates with teammates scoring the 1 – 2 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Moenchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund in Moenchengladbach, western Germany on March 7, 2020. ((Photo by SASCHA SCHUERMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /

Borussia Dortmund show again they can win ugly

Borussia Dortmund have often struggled to win when not playing at their best, and have seen quite a few leads slip this season. The side tied three consecutive games 2-2 when leading 2-1 in the second half, and lost to both Leverkusen and Hoffenheim when leading by one late in the game.

Often it seemed the win had to be a comfortable one or there would not be one at all, but that feeling has died as of late.

Three of the five wins in Dortmund’s current winning streak have been one goal wins. They have only won four league games by one goal this season, half of which have been their most recent two fixtures. The improved defence, as well the fighting performances under pressure, were a critical development for this team to take something from this season.

While Gladbach had chances throughout the game, very few came after Dortmund took a 2-1 lead. The defence and midfield were in full control of the game late on, and if anything it looked like they would be the ones to score as Sancho and Hakimi always looked to break upon any Gladbach turnover.

Dortmund really should have found a third, but Erling Haaland uncharacteristically skied a great chance off of more great work from Sancho on the counter-attack. The Englishman himself hit the woodwork before Haaland’s chance, but it didn’t end up costing Der BVB.

Dortmund have also gone on this run some big injuries and variations in the lineups. Marco Reus is still out, and will likely have a few more weeks on the sideline.

Julian Brandt missed some time and returned recently and today’s win came with Jadon Sancho starting the match on the bench. Sancho came on on for Brandt and quickly made his mark by assisting Hakimi for the game winner.

While the result did partly come from him, seeing the team win a big game without two of their stars ever sharing the field and playing limited minutes was a reassuring sight to see for a side that has struggled with absences so much in the past.

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