Missed chances hurt Borussia Dortmund in shock 2-1 defeat to FC Köln

Borussia Dortmund had a day to forget as they weren’t able to get the job done against relegation candidates FC Köln.

Borussia Dortmund turned in a very disappointing performance against FC Köln on Saturday that ended with them dropping crucial points. Köln have played their last 18 competitive games without a win, but that all came to an end today as they beat Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion.

Köln really didn’t threaten Dortmund’s goal too often but they took advantage of the corners they did have, scoring two basically carbon copy goals. Both of Köln’s goals were corners put to the near post, a slight deflected header to the back post to a wide open Ellyes Skhiri for easy tap ins. And to make matters worse, both goals were assisted by Borussia Dortmund loanee Marius Wolf. It was just a complete lack of discipline, you can’t leave players unmarked inside the six yard box on corners, never mind doing it twice.

Dortmund were relatively toothless in this one, not creating a ton until it was too late. Their biggest problem was their inability to break through the deep sitting back line. Constant turnovers in the build up and sloppy passing killed possession after possession for Dortmund, who controlled the possession but weren’t able to do anything with it for long spells of the game. It’s never a good sign when your best players on the day are your substitutes, but that was the case today with Thorgan Hazard, Gio Reyna and Youssoufa Moukoko standing out by default in the loss.

Reyna, Moukoko and Hazard also combined for Borussia Dortmund’s lone goal, playing two quick passes before Hazard smartly curled the ball into the net. Moukoko was maybe the lone bright spot in Dortmund’s loss, looking very promising during his cameo. Moukoko showed no fear as he played close to 25 minutes in this game, taking defenders on and getting involved in the build up play more and more.

Moukoko nearly scored after coming on as well, getting in behind the Köln back line, but unfortunately his shot went wide of the goal. Dortmund did have a massive chance to equalise with the final kick of the game, but Erling Haaland uncharacteristically missed a sitter from inside the six yard box as it deflected off his foot and wide of goal.

Borussia Dortmund’s loss today was down to poor concentration in key moments that ultimately led to them dropping points in a very disappointing fashion. The demoralising defeat puts Lucien Favre’s side down to third place in the league table.