Borussia Dortmund 2-3 RB Leipzig: Takeaways after another home defeat

Victory was always going to be a monumental task once Mats Hummels was sent off for an early bath in the 15th minute at the Westfalenstadion on Saturday. Borussia Dortmund still fought valiantly but it came to no avail as RB Leipzig went home with all three points.

Circumstances aside, the loss is probably the season’s earliest concrete indicator that the Black and Yellows will be in a battle for a top four finish this season. A far cry from last season’s title chasing campaign, and despite success in Europe so far, a major indictment of how things have gone sour for Edin Terzic’s side in a span of just a few months.

Perhaps the biggest frustration from Saturday was that RB Leipzig were not great themselves. They were lacklustre on the offensive front and were there for the taking if different variables worked in Borussia Dortmund’s favour. Yet it is BVB who find themselves four points behind Marco Rose’s team and a lightyear away from title contention after Matchday 14.

Borussia Dortmund remain winless in December following their draw against Bayer Leverkusen and defeat to VfB Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal. Here are the two takeaways from Borussia Dortmund's 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig.