B-V-Briefing - A weekly roundup of all things Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund traveled to the Weserstadion on Saturday, where they faced Werder Bremen, a side locked in mid-table. The Black and Yellows' recent history suggested they would claim a scrappy win, but most fans still haven't forgotten last seasons's stoppage-time collapse against a Bremen team that managed to score three times after the 90th minute. With recent form in question, this was always going to be a tricky match.

I've been very critical of Edin Terzic's tactics recently, and I still am, but the first half on the road highlighted some of this Borussia Dortmund squad's best qualities. Julian Brandt has steadily improved, and along with Marcel Sabitzer, drove the attacking creativity through long phases of the half.

Donyell Malen returned from suspension and showed he is still in fine form, with an acrobatic goal to open the scoring. What was perhaps most inspiring, was that after the first goal, BVB continued pushing for a second. The decision to keep pressing brought about a goal from Jadon Sancho that looked very reminiscent of those he scored 'back in the day.' It was the Englishman's first goal since returning to Dortmund in January, on loan from Manchester United.

An otherwise positive first half was marred by a reckless challange from Marcel Sabitzer, in which his studs made contact with the back ankle of Mitchell Weiser. Sabitzer was given a straight red card and sent off. I don't have any problems with this as its studs to the achilles, and that's a dangerous play, even if the challenge was unintentional. It is unfortunate, but part of the game.

The second half looked much more like the Borussia Dortmund of recent weeks, sitting back and absorbing pressure, but this was both dull too watch and only effective due to Dortmund's two-goal cushion. When choosing to defend for 45 minutes, it is natural that an opponent will eventually find an opening, and Bremen did that through Justin Njinmah. Thankfully, the home side couldn't do it twice, and Dortmund won a vital three-points in the race for UEFA Champions League contention. This match also saw the return of Gregor Kobel from injury as well as Felix Nmecha, who was out for several months with a hip problem.