Borussia Dortmund edge past Hoffenheim to make it NINE wins in a row in 2023
By Tushar Bahl
Julian Brandt scored the winning goal as Borussia Dortmund beat Hoffenheim 1-0 to move to the top of the Bundesliga standings for at least 24 hours.
Borussia Dortmund continued their incredible start to 2023 by getting the better of TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday afternoon. Julian Brandt’s first half goal was enough to hand the Black and Yellows their ninth win in a row in all competitions.
It wasn’t the best of performances from Borussia Dortmund. But they got the job done in the end and moved up to the top of the Bundesliga standings ahead of Bayern Munich’s crunch clash against Union Berlin on Sunday.
Jude Bellingham and Sebastien Haller both returned to the Borussia Dortmund starting XI, while Jamie Bynoe-Gittens was given the nod to replace the injured Karim Adeyemi. The highly rated winger had a chance to give his side the lead early on, but Oliver Baumann made a good save to deny him.
Hoffenheim appeared to be up for the fight and Borussia Dortmund needed some crucial last-ditch defending from Nico Schlotterbeck and Gregor Kobel to prevent them from taking the lead.
Baumann then made two spectacular saves to deny Haller twice within a minute. But he stood no chance in the 43rd minute, as Julian Brandt turned home Marco Reus’ whipped free-kick with his back to give Borussia Dortmund the lead going into the break.
Borussia Dortmund were put under the cosh early in the second half, as Hoffenheim looked to get back on level terms. The away side had a few good opportunities on the counter-attack, but Baumann stepped up time and time again to keep his side in the game.
Marius Wolf finally managed to get the better of Baumann with a thumping effort in the 57th minute. But the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build up.
On the other end of the pitch, Kobel stood firm and kept Hoffenheim at bay on a few occasions. Bellingham nearly added a second for BVB late on, but his shot hit the post. In the end, Edin Terzic’s side managed to survive the threat of Hoffenheim and claimed a 1-0 win in Sinsheim.
Next. Player ratings from Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 win over Hoffenheim. dark
The hard earned win means that Borussia Dortmund have now made their best ever start to a calendar year. Another tough test lies in store for BVB on Friday, as Marco Rose and RB Leipzig make the trip to the Westfalenstadion.