Abject Borussia Dortmund suffer second half capitulation against Hertha BSC

Borussia Dortmund ended their year with a damaging defeat, losing 3-2 away to Hertha BSC on the back of a poor and disjointed second half performance.

Borussia Dortmund suffered yet another embarrassing capitulation on Saturday, leaving their hopes of winning the Bundesliga title in disarray. And this time it came against a Hertha Berlin side that was hammered 4-0 by Mainz 05 earlier this week and has been woeful all year long, making the performance and result even more unforgivable.

After taking the lead in the first half, Dortmund gave up three second half goals in the space of 20 minutes through a combination of some comical defending and sloppy giveaways. They ultimately pulled a goal back but suffered a 3-2 defeat, leaving them nine points behind Bayern Munich at the half way stage of the season.

Marco Rose made five changes to his starting XI, with three of them being enforced. Marwin Hitz, Emre Can, Marin Pongracic, Mahmoud Dahoud and Donyell Malen all came into the starting XI for the Black and Yellows. Erling Haaland started up front, looking to add to his incredible tally of six goals in just two games at the Olympiastadion. Axel Witsel started alongside Marin Pongracic in the heart of the defence.

Borussia Dortmund made a strong start to the game and had a number of openings in the early stages, with Thomas Meunier looking especially dangerous down the right wing. The Belgian international created a couple of really good chances for Marco Reus, but the BVB captain failed to find the back of the net.

Hertha started to grow into the game as the first half wore on. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp missed a sitter for the hosts, before Myziane Maolida had a goal ruled out for offside.

Borussia Dortmund needed a stroke of genius, and it arrived through Julian Brandt who chipped the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net after being inadvertently played in by Maximilian Mittelstädt. The German international’s fifth goal of the season gave Marco Rose’s side a narrow lead going into the break.

Hertha BSC came out for the second half determined to get back on level terms. And they got their equaliser just six minutes after the restart. Ishak Belfodil left Axel Witsel in his wake before beating Marwin Hitz from close range to make it 1-1.

Borussia Dortmund then suddenly started to show their festive spirit, as they gifted possession away twice on the edge of the box and Hertha took full advantage on both occasions. Marco Richter pounced twice for the home side and gave them a 3-1 lead with two sumptuous strikes. Steffen Tigges headed a goal back for Dortmund late on. But they weren’t able to find an equaliser, and now go into the winter break on the back of just one win in their last four Bundesliga games.

The defeat makes it a hinrunde to forget for Borussia Dortmund. And Marco Rose’s side have plenty of work to do in the coming weeks if they are going to turn their season around in 2022.