Borussia Dortmund lose Bundesliga title on goal difference after 2-2 draw vs Mainz 05
By Tushar Bahl
A last-gasp comeback was not enough as Borussia Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw by Mainz 05 and lost the Bundesliga title on goal difference.
It was a case of so close yet so far for Borussia Dortmund as they blew their best chance to win the Bundesliga title in years. The Black and Yellows could only manage a 2-2 draw against Mainz, and an 89th minute winner from Jamal Musiala helped Bayern beat FC Köln to win the Bundesliga title for the 11th season in a row.
Borussia Dortmund have had more than their fair share of crushing results in recent years, but this one will certainly hurt the most. Everything was set up for Edin Terzic’s side to enjoy their title party in front of a sold out Westfalenstadion. But Mainz 05 had other plans, leaving almost everyone at the stadium devastated.
The game got off to an absolutely disastrous start for Borussia Dortmund, as they fell two goals behind after just 24 minutes. Mainz took full advantage of BVB’s careless defending, and Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Karim Onisiwo both found the back of the net to leave the title hopefuls stunned.
Sebastien Haller also had a penalty saved, as nothing went to plan for Edin Terzic’s side in the first half. BVB suffered another big blow in the closing stages of the first half, as Karim Adeyemi was forced off with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Marco Reus.
Facing the daunting task of overturning a two goal deficit in just 45 minutes to fulfil their dream of winning the Bundesliga title, Borussia Dortmund dominated the second half. Raphael Guerreiro halved the deficit in the 69th minute, before Niklas Süle made it 2-2 in the 96th minute. But there wasn’t enough time for BVB to go on and find a winner.
Köln’s equaliser in the 81st minute against Bayern gave Borussia Dortmund some hope. But that was erased eight minutes later, as Jamal Musiala restored Bayern’s lead and helped them win the Bundesliga title.
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Ultimately, Bayern Munich’s superior goal difference is what separated the two sides after 34 matchdays full of twists and turns. Thomas Tuchel’s side celebrated in Köln as the BVB players sank to their knees at the full-time whistle. This one will hurt for a long time to come. But Borussia Dortmund can take plenty of positives from this season and come back to challenge for the Bundesliga crown again next year.