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Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Union Berlin: Key Takeaways

By Brian Szlenk Straub

DORTMUND, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 19: Players of Dortmund celebrate their 4-2 victory after the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Union Berlin at Signal Iduna Park on September 19, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 19: Players of Dortmund celebrate their 4-2 victory after the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Union Berlin at Signal Iduna Park on September 19, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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Dortmund’s Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel (L) looks on as Dortmund’s German defender Mats Hummels (R) and Union Berlin’s German midfielder Levin Oeztunali vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs FC Union Berlin on September 19, 2021 in Dortmund, western Germany. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Dortmund’s Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel (L) looks on as Dortmund’s German defender Mats Hummels (R) and Union Berlin’s German midfielder Levin Oeztunali vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match Borussia Dortmund vs FC Union Berlin on September 19, 2021 in Dortmund, western Germany. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /

Defensive frailties show once again as Dortmund concede two unnecessary late goals

It wouldn’t be a Borussia Dortmund game without talking about defensive complacency, would it? The unfortunate nature of their defense this season in particular gives fans every reason to be worried.

Borussia Dortmund gave away two goals in the second half that allowed Union back into the game pretty cheaply. The first came from an Axel Witsel foul on Kevin Behrens in the box, which led to a penalty that Max Kruse converted coolly. The second came from Dortmund once again being unable to repel a set piece, this time a corner, which Union invariably excel at.

The first goal is avoidable if Dortmund do a better job of covering the initial cross and shot that created the opportunity for Behrens to run onto the ball. Guerreiro was slow to react to the oncoming cross and Kobel’s parry could have been less central. Witsel’s foul is also not particularly necessary as Kobel still had a decent chance of smothering the ball at the second time of asking.

The second goal is slightly more worrying in its projection of Dortmund’s current defending. It is a well known fact by now that Union Berlin are very proficient when it comes to corners, and its something that the team have seen happen in previous encounters with this weekend’s opponents.

Knowing this, they should have been more alert to the situation. Meunier’s marking on Andreas Voglsammer was quite weak to say the least and it’s slightly baffling to understand how Voglsammer could rise over the Belgian international in that situation.

On the bright side, both Guerreiro and Meunier did have impressive performances on the other end of the pitch. Guerreiro scored the opener for his side with a sublime volley into the right corner of Andreas Luthe’s net. Meunier’s contribution was yet another assist for Haaland, his third of the season so far for his club. Another well weighted cross was the key for Dortmund’s second via Erling Haaland.

While its nice to see both contribute going forward, it is also imperative that they do better in terms of helping both Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji at the back. Dortmund have as of now let in 11 goals since the start of the Bundesliga campaign. Only 4 teams have let in more goals so far this season, which is a worrying trend that needs to be rectified immediately.