BVB Buzz
Fansided

Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Hoffenheim: Three takeaways from frustrating draw

By Tushar Bahl

DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 13: Ihlas Bebou of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim scores his team's second goal past Marwin Hitz of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park on February 13, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 13: Ihlas Bebou of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim scores his team's second goal past Marwin Hitz of Borussia Dortmund during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park on February 13, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Borussia Dortmund’s poor form continued on Saturday as they dropped points at home to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. The performance once again showed the Black and Yellows are far from a finished product, with leaky defending, sloppy goalkeeping and incoherent attacking play all coming into focus. Here are our three takeaways from the game.

Signing a new goalkeeper has to be a priority this summer

Borussia Dortmund desperately need a new first-choice goalkeeper. And they must sign one in the summer transfer window. Marwin Hitz started in goal on Saturday and his performance was anything but assured. The Swiss shot stopper looked bereft of confidence when dealing with crosses and gifted a goal to Ihlas Bebou at his near post.

Instead of catching a relatively straight-forward cross, Hitz decided to try and punch it. That clearly did not work out, as the ball struck Bebou and bounced into the net, giving Hoffenheim the lead. This was the second straight game in which a Hitz error has heavily cost the Black and Yellows.

And yes, while first choice goalkeeper Roman Bürki is injured right now, he is hardly someone who inspires confidence in the back-line or among supporters. Bürki is certainly be a better all-round goalkeeper than his compatriot, but even he is error prone and inconsistent. His lack of command in the penalty area is one of the biggest reasons why Dortmund struggle to defend set-pieces.

Handing a new contract to Bürki last summer was a poor decision by Michael Zorc and co. But hopefully, they will correct that mistake by signing a new first choice goalkeeper in the summer.