Borussia Dortmund dropped points for the second Bundesliga game in a row as Union Berlin held them to a 0-0 draw on Saturday. The BVB remained winless since returning from the international break after three matches now, a worrying statistic that hints at a loss of form after starting brightly earlier on. Yet, these were the three things they got right in Berlin:
1) Defensive organization
Dortmund's attack has been running on fumes lately, but their defense held firm in Berlin last evening. Despite the home side's press, they could never really find a clear opening with Joane Gadou and Waldemar Anton in particular in inspired form, throwing themselves at everything coming their way.
The Iron Ones were content to sit back and absorb pressure, looking to catch Dortmund on the break, but the hosts tracked back effectively to clamp down on passing lanes. The Prussians won 56% of the duels in the first half and limited the Iron Ones to just one shot on target in the match.
2) Progressing attacks from the right flank
It's no coincidence that Julian Ryerson returned to the lineup and most of their offensive plays flowed through him. In fact, he was simply their best player on the field in Berlin without a doubt. The Norwegian, having shrugged off a rib injury scare, was always looking to make things happen, either with sublime combination plays on the right or through inviting crosses into the box.
Bustling with energy and poise, Union Berlin couldn't lay a finger on Ryerson, who ran his socks off and was the cynosure of their best chances on the night. He laid a game-high of 15 crosses, including one for Maximilian Beier in the 52nd minute which he wasted by driving it wide off target in spire of the goal gaping in front of him and laid three key passes too.
3) Use of substitutes
This one's hardly surprising. Dortmund have built a reputation for utilizing substitutes wisely. They have been the beneficaries of five goals and three assists from players off the bench this season alone and substitutes breathed a new life into their attacks against Union Berlin too.
Fabio Silva and Mathis Albert in particular, injected the kind of offensive verve which the side had been screaming for the better part of the first 60 minutes. They actively sought to regain the ball, drove forward at every opportunity and combined effectively with wide players too.
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