Late Axel Witsel winner helps Borussia Dortmund beat Mainz and close the gap to Bayern Munich
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund left it very late against Mainz 05 but got the job done in the end courtesy of an 87th minute winner from Axel Witsel.
Borussia Dortmund showed that they are not ready to give up on their Bundesliga title dreams just yet, as they came away from Mainz 05 with a hard-fought 1-0 win. It wasn’t the prettiest of performances from the Black and Yellows, but they managed to get the job done courtesy of an 87th minute goal from Axel Witsel.
The Belgian international’s winner helped Borussia Dortmund close the gap to Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table to just four points. And with eight games still to go before the end of the season, we could well have a title race on our hands.
Marco Rose named an unchanged starting XI, looking to build on the team’s momentum from Sunday’s win over Arminia Bielefeld. Erling Haaland and Gio Reyna once again started on the bench for the Black and Yellows.
The first half was a scrappy and cagey affair with not much in terms of chances for either team. Mainz had a couple of good openings, but Emre Can stepped up with some vital challenges and interceptions for Dortmund to ensure that they did not lead to anything.
The second half was more of the same, with Mainz 05 edging the game ever so slightly in terms of chances. Borussia Dortmund seemed to be lacking any spark up front, and even the introduction of Erling Haaland did not do anything to change that.
Haaland did force a save from the Mainz goalkeeper, but the game seemed to be heading for a goalless draw up until the 86th minute, when Borussia Dortmund received a free-kick. Gio Reyna took the free-kick and managed to pick out Axel Witsel, who finished coolly past Zentner with a well taken first time effort from close range.
It was Witsel’s first Bundesliga goal in more than two years, and it breathed new life into both Borussia Dortmund’s season and the Bundesliga title race. Marco Rose’s side held on for the all important three points, giving their title hopes a newfound boost.
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Bayern Munich are still the heavy favourites to win the Bundesliga title. But Borussia Dortmund will now have a bit more belief and hope going into the remaining eight games of the season.