Key Talking Points from Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld

Final thoughts and looking ahead

Overall, the performance Borussia Dortmund put in against Arminia Bielefeld was quite impressive and promising for a couple of reasons. On one hand, it was yet another clean sheet and a win against the type of side that may have faltered their seasonal progress in years past. Dortmund have often struggled to impose themselves in games and on teams that made the game more difficult, more gritty.

Bielefeld did just that with their rugged and entrenched defending, just like Schalke and Zenit tried to do in the previous two games. They made Dortmund work for it, and the Black and Yellows came away deserved winners after putting in a proper shift.

The other side of the coin however is that Dortmund actually put in the work. In seasons past, I’ve felt that the team would become frustrated when opponents would dig in like this. Creativity would dwindle and the goals would dry up. Couple this with shoddy defending and Dortmund would find themselves on the end of some shock results. This is already the third, hard fought, not so fancy, get the job done win Dortmund have managed to pull off this season, the other two being against Hoffenheim and Zenit. More of this will see Dortmund’s confidence grow and the title charge pick up real momentum.

As we look ahead, Borussia Dortmund have two critical games coming up in quick succession. A midweek clash with Club Brugge will be quickly followed with an all important top of the table clash against champions Bayern Munich. Dortmund will want to do well in both considering their initial result against Lazio in the Champions League and the need to keep up with Bayern and the chance to jump them in the table too good to pass up. If Dortmund can keep their heads focused and disciplined, this week could really put some fire under their push for silverware this season.