Second-half collapse sees Borussia Dortmund lose 3-2 to Hoffenheim

Maximilian Beier's second-half brace helped Hoffenheim hand Borussia Dortmund their first defeat of 2024, with Pellegrino Matarazzo's side coming out on top 3-2.

Old habits die hard for Borussia Dortmund. And they were made to rue more self-inflicted damage on Sunday evening as they were handed a 3-2 defeat by Hoffenheim. Goals from Ihlas Bebou and Maximilian Beier helped hand the Sinsheim-based club a well deserved win.

The Black and Yellows had earlier turned a one-goal defecit into a 2-1 lead, courtesy of goals from Donyell Malen and Nico Schlotterbeck. But lethargic defending, combined with laboured attacking play in the second-half meant that the three points slipped through their grasp.

With Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle both sidelined due to illness, Emre Can started at centre-back alongside Nico Schlotterbeck. And the BVB captain had a disastrous start to the game, as his attempted pass to Schlotterbeck was intercepted by Ihlas Bebou, who gave Hoffenheim the shock lead.

Borussia Dortmund issued a strong response to going behind, and Donyell Malen nearly equalised in the 20th minute. But his shot was brilliantly saved by Oliver Baumann.

The Dutchman wasn't to be denied two minutes later, though, as he turned home Marco Reus' flick-on from Julian Brandt's corner.

Borussia Dortmund's comeback was complete just four minutes later, with Nico Schlotterbeck heading home Reus' free-kick.

Despite dominating play for the rest of the first-half, BVB were unable to press on and make the most of their advantage. And that came back to haunt them in the second-half, as a quickfire brace from Maximilian Beier turned the game on its head.

The highly rated striker scored two goals in three minutes, taking full advantage of some calamitous defending from the home side.

There wasn't much in terms of chances late on for Borussia Dortmund, even though Emre Can had a glorious opportunity to equalise in the closing stages. But he fired his free header over the bar, allowing Hoffenheim to claim the three points.

Borussia Dortmund's first defeat of 2024 will certainly sting. They had the game well and truly in control, but an unforgivable second-half collapse means that BVB must now continue to look over their shoulders ahead of what promises to be a gruelling run of games.