Marco Reus winner helps Borussia Dortmund earn narrow 1-0 win against Hoffenheim

Borussia Dortmund picked up the three points in a tough away game against Hoffenheim on Saturday with Marco Reus making the difference in a 1-0 win.

Borussia Dortmund were held in check for the majority of the game against Hoffenheim but ended up collecting all three points in a crucial away win. This one was far from straightforward for Dortmund, as it was another game where they controlled the majority of the possession but struggled to take their chances. Hoffenheim made it diffucult for Dortmund though, pressing them very high throughout the game.

Dortmund had a very lackluster first half and struggled to get in behind the Hoffenheim back line. Without a true striker in the starting XI, Dortmund just weren’t making the runs in behind to feed through. One of the few exceptions was Jadon Sancho getting on the end of Lukasz Piszczek’s long through ball, but he was only able to fire wide. Dortmund did have one bit of robbery when a collision between Passlack and a Hoffenheim defender allowed Reyna to push through somewhat uncontested. Reyna rounded the keeper but his effort was cleared off the goal line, keeping Dortmund at bay.

The big news for Dortmund in the first half was when Lukasz Piszczek had to exit the game in the 21st minute after he looked to be poked in the eye in the run of play. Hopefully Pisczek isn’t out too long as Dortmund are already missing Dan-Axel Zagadou and Manuel Akanji and losing Piszczek would leave them very thin at the back.

Favre finally brought on Marco Reus and Erling Haaland in the 64th minute to change the complexion of the Dortmund attack. He then went on to make two more impactful subs with Jude Bellingham and Raphael Guerreiro coming on in the 75th minute which is when the game turned.

Capitalizing on a Hoffenheim turnover in the 76th minute, Gio Reyna flicked the ball through to Haaland who just managed to stay onside. Haaland unselfishly again squared the ball to a wide open Reus to finish. Only minutes after the opener, Raphael Guerreiro found Haaland with an incredible chip through the Hoffenheim defence but the striker fired just wide. Haaland also hit the side of the post on another chance and it was clear to see how much of a difference the Norwegian international makes when he’s on the field.

Dortmund were able to see out another win and pick up another clean sheet, making that three in four in the Bundesliga. Thomas Delaney also filled in really well in an unfamiliar center back position after Piszczek had to come out. Next up for them is a trip to Italy to take on Lazio for matchday one in the Champions League group stage.