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A six-minute reality check: Borussia Dortmund’s collapse vs Werder Bremen

By Reece Edwards

DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: Marco Reus of Dortmund looks dejected after losing 2-3 the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on August 20, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 20: Marco Reus of Dortmund looks dejected after losing 2-3 the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park on August 20, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund were left stunned by Werder Bremen. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /

A six-minute disaster

In the 88th minute, following a sloppy back-pass from Marius Wolf to Niklas Süle, Gregor Kobel, who had actually delivered a solid outing in goal, misplaced a clearance towards the Borussia Dortmund bench. Plenty of time was given for the defensive shape to be in order. However, after the ensuing Bremen throw-in, Wolf had somehow allowed Niklas Schmidt to run in behind him and get through on goal. Thorgan Hazard proceeded to scuff an attempted clearance and inadvertently set up Lee Buchanan for what was a truly great strike.

Neither the poorly positioned Marius Wolf, nor the understandably gassed Jude Bellingham could recover in time to prevent the goal. Still, Edin Terzic would have expected a swift wake-up call and his side to tighten up at the back through whatever means necessary. After all, this is what a supposed title challenger would do.

Moments later, Youssoufa Moukoko forced a decent save from Jiri Pavlenka before Bremen once again started throwing numbers forward on the counterattack. The whole BVB defense prepared for the imminent cross from Bremen’s right flank, and with just over two minutes from the final whistle, they once again allowed Niklas Schmidt to go unmarked and connect with a downward header into the corner. Kobel didn’t have a chance. Captain Marco Reus threw his hands into the air in disgust as Bremen’s players justifiably ran the length of the pitch to celebrate near their traveling supporters.

Terzic’s men set themselves up with a desperate long ball into Bremen’s third of the field and had hardly had a chance to comprehend what had just transpired. A clearly exhausted Jude Bellingham was dispossessed twice in 10 seconds with a desperate interception between them. Immediately following this, Dortmund found themselves with their entire midfield and forward line over-committed to the attacking cause. The worst was still yet to come.

A simple and uncontested through ball was somehow played in behind both Niklas Süle and Marius Wolf once again. With Emre Can looking completely disinterested in stopping the initial pass, Oliver Burke beat the aforementioned BVB defenders for pace before firing his shot past Kobel at his near post. Wolf hit the turf in disbelief, and a home side that produced a mere 0.3xG had received their just reward.