Borussia Dortmund hold on to claim vital 3-2 win against Hoffenheim

Donyell Malen was the star of the show as Borussia Dortmund kept the pressure on Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga standings by earning a hard fought 3-2 win over TSG Hoffenheim.

After being embarrassed by St. Pauli on Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund desperately needed a response against Hoffenheim in their final game before the international break. And they got just that, as they registered a 3-2 win away to Hoffenheim. It wasn’t the prettiest of performances from Marco Rose’s side. But the three points will give Dortmund some much needed confidence.

Marco Rose made three changes to the side that lost to St. Pauli in mid-week, with Mahmoud Dahoud returning after recovering from his back problems. Thomas Meunier missed the game with muscular problems, and Marius Wolf replaced him in the starting XI. While Donyell Malen also started in place of Thorgan Hazard.

Borussia Dortmund started the game well and opened the scoring in just the sixth minute. Erling Haaland tapped the ball into the back of the net after some gorgeous link-up play between Jude Bellingham, Raphael Guerreiro and Donyell Malen.

It was all Hoffenheim after Dortmund’s opener, as they were twice denied by the frame of the goal and once by a stunning last ditch interception from Manuel Akanji. But even the incredible Swiss centre-back could not prevent Andrej Kramarić from making it 1-1 on the stroke of half time. The Croatian international was left unmarked at the far post and volleyed his effort past Gregor Kobel to give Hoffenheim a well deserved equaliser.

Hoffenheim started the second half with the same attacking mindset and looked to be well on top. But Borussia Dortmund managed to pull ahead once again, very much against the run of play. Marco Reus got on the end of Donyell Malen’s through ball and slotted his shot past the Hoffenheim goalkeeper to give his side the lead at the hour mark.

Malen continued his impressive performance as he set up an own goal just eight minutes later to double Dortmund’s advantage. But just when Borussia Dortmund thought they were cruising towards the win, Hoffenheim pulled a goal back through Georginio Rutter. The home side pushed hard for an equaliser late on, but the Black and Yellows held on to claim the three points.

Hoffenheim dominated the game for large periods, and Borussia Dortmund were under the cosh after making a good start. But in the end, Marco Rose’s tactical tweaks and substitutions in the second half helped the away side see out a vital win.