Borussia Dortmund's managing director Lars Ricken has rued his side's late implosion in the Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen on Friday which saw them relinquish a two-goal lead in the last four minutes of the contest.
Having struggled to break the deadlock for 80 minutes, Daniel Svensson and Nico Schlotterbeck scored a goal apiece within the next five to hand them a two-goal cushion and almost seemingly, all three points too.
However, Werder Bremen had other plans. Ludovit Reis pulled one back in the 88th minute after Schlotterbeck's clearance was intercepted, while former BVB forward Niclas Fullkrug made it 2-2 in the second added minute with a header.
Dortmund were inches away from a fifth consecutive win of the league season, but a passive display coupled with poor man-marking allowed the River Islanders to storm their way back into it and snatched a point from right under their noses.
Ricken lamented his side's lack of finishing in the opening stanza when the Prussians appeared to be on top with possession and regular chance-creations. Speaking to the press after the match, he said:
"After how the game unfolded, it's pure disappointment. We knew it would be a difficult match. Nevertheless, we started well, had a lot of possession, but perhaps lacked a cutting edge in the first half. That improved in the second half."
He further added that his side was close to seeing the game off and credited Bremen for their determination and fighting spirit which ultimately saw them wipe out Dortmund's lead.
"We set out to see out games like this, and we essentially did that with the 2-0 lead. Bremen then attacked with the courage of desperation and did a good job of it."
In Dortmund's first match back from the international break, there were signs of fatigue among many of their first team stars that were involved with their national teams, but had managed to remain in control during the first 45 minutes.
Serhou Guirassy, who scored the winner for Guinea in their AFCON qualifier against Kenya, particularly appeared pumped and persistently asked questions of Bremen. He had a header saved by Karl Hein and a free-kick that whizzed narrowly wide off the the target before seeing one cleared off the line in the second half. Marcel Sabizter was also on fire, attempting four shots of which two were on target, but Hein produced a series of vital saves to help them at bay.
Although the draw is disappointing for Dortmund, it's still the first time they have dropped points in the league this season, although Bayern Munich could reclaim first place with a win as the reigning champions boast a vastly superior goal-difference.
Ricken urged his side to take confidence from the season they've had so far, nonetheless:
"Ultimately, we have to look ahead; we have many challenges before us. As disappointed as we are, we can also take some confidence from this start to the season."
Borussia Dortmund next play Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, 14 October.
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