Borussia Dortmund 3-2 RB Leipzig: Key Talking Points from Bundesliga win

Injury to Marwin Hitz sees Roman Bürki return in goal

In what was clearly one of Borussia Dortmund’s more awkward substitutions of the season, Roman Bürki came on for fellow Swiss shot stopper Marwin Hitz at half-time as the latter injured his knee. Bürki made his return after months on the sidelines, having been displaced by his compatriot. It was almost strange to watch as the former established number one made his way between the sticks again, and it is even harder to rate his performance based on the lack of time he has had on the pitch and the abruptness of it all.

What makes it even more awkward is that Bürki makes his return after months of speculation surrounding his potential transfer away from the club as well. Dortmund have been linked with a plethora of keepers in recent months and while we can obviously expect Bürki will give his all anytime he gets on the pitch for Dortmund, there has to be some psychological toll that plays a role here. Bürki is being linked with a move away from BVB. But before that, he will have the task of playing in the Pokal final and Dortmund’s remaining fixtures as Hitz will be out for the rest of the season.

Taking a look at the two goals from Leipzig, it’s hard to say that the BVB defence did a lot to help Bürki in fending off the shots, however. Dortmund have been culpable for letting in 12 goals from set pieces this season, with Lukas Klostermann’s header for RB’s first once again highlighting defensive frailties that got Dortmund into the close-shave situation they are currently in as the season reaches its finale. The second goal was also more of a lapse in defensive concentration that left Bürki exposed and at the mercy of 3 Leipzig players. Dortmund have expressed their support for Bürki, with Sebastian Kehl stating that Bürki is a top keeper that wants to win the trophy with his side. We will all be watching and hoping we see an in form Bürki between the sticks, who has shown in the past that he can make a telling impact in goal.