Julian Brandt and Youssoufa Moukoko score as Borussia Dortmund ease past Hertha Berlin

Borussia Dortmund returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Hertha Berlin thanks to second half goals from Julian Brandt and Youssoufa Moukoko.

After seeing off Sevilla on Tuesday and qualifying for UEFA Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since the 2016/2017 season, Edin Terzic and his side turned their attentions to the Bundesliga as they took on a struggling Hertha Berlin side. The Black and Yellows arrived in this match sitting in the sixth place in the table, four points behind fourth placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Borussia Dortmund actively sought to create danger on Hertha’s goal right from the first whistle. The intensity and determination of previous games was still intact, but the final ball seemed to be lacking in the early stages of the game. Marco Reus was the key man to the team’s initial chances and was heavily involved in the attacking play. After twenty minutes the captain had already hit the crossbar and had a golden chance to score from a precise Mateu Morey cross into the box.

The visitors were primarily focused on keeping Borussia Dortmund and in-form striker Erling Haaland at bay. They had little to no intention of going forward, and Marwin Hitz was able to enjoy a quiet evening in goal. Pal Dardai’s side played with five at the back to contain the Black and Yellow barrage. Despite this challenge, Jude Bellingham found ways between the Hertha lines time and time again. However, all attempts at breaking the Berlin defence were futile in the first forty-five minutes.

An unlikely hero appeared just ten minutes into the second half. The oft-criticised Julian Brandt took a shot on goal from thirty yards out and managed to beat Rune Jarstein with a swerving effort. A thunderbolt which is sure to give the struggling German international some much needed confidence.

Hertha brought on offensive players like Dodi Lukébakio and Mathew Leckie to change the tide, but to no avail. A tired and worn-out Dortmund side still attempted to look for a second goal instead of sitting back and resting on their laurels. Mahmoud Dahoud hit the crossbar on the hour mark and then Emre Can’s bullet header was well saved by Jarstein.

Ten minutes from the end, Vladimir Darida made an ugly challenge from behind on Marco Reus and was sent off. The Borussia Dortmund captain had to go off with an ankle injury soon after, becoming the second BVB player to be forced off through injury. Mats Hummels was also forced off in the second half, with Dan-Axel Zagadou coming on to replace him.

The youngest goal scorer in Bundesliga history, Youssoufa Moukoko, replaced the captain with only six minutes on the clock. Enough time for him to get onto the scoresheet and seal a much-needed victory for Dortmund on home soil. It was an emphatic finish from Moukoko, through the legs of Jarstein, giving him his first ever goal at the Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund got the job done and will now face FC Köln next weekend. The Black and Yellows have come away from their tough run of fixtures with a number of vital wins. A week without any games now gives the players a chance to recuperate and get ready for the business end of the season.