Borussia Dortmund dropped points in the Bundesliga for the second game in a row after salvaging just a draw against Union Berlin today.
In what turned out to be another dismal performance, the BVB failed to bag a single goal against a team that had conceded 17 times this season, the worst defensive record in the division behind only Borussia Monchengladbach (18).
Adding insult to injury was a knock for Konstantinos Karetsas too, who went off in the second half after twisting his ankle.
Dortmund gained a foothold in the match late on after Fabio Silva and Mathis Albert came on, but a goal remained elusive. Here are the key talking points from the match:
1) First-half woes continue
Dortmund cannot seem to click into gear early on. This was the fourth game in a row in all competitions where they went into the break without a goal. We had already discussed how this was fast becoming the side's Achilles heel, but the Prussians haven't learnt their lesson yet.
Tonight was perhaps their weakest first-half of all, failing to muster a single shot on target and finishing with an xG of just 0.17 as Dortmund were truly underwhelming. Berlin didn't let them have too much time and space on the ball, tightening the passing lanes as the BVB failed to convert possession dominance into clear-cut chances.
2) Dortmund cannot seem to get a break from injuries
Just when the squad was back to full strength again - aside from the long-term absentees, of course - Dortmund have been hit with another casualty as Konstantinos Karetsas limped off the field midway through the second half in a nasty-looking injury.
While attempting to get away from Berlin midfielder Rani Khedira near the byline, Karetsas twisted his ankle and went down in agony, as team medics came rushing and guided him off the pitch.
Having already lost Giannis Konstantelias to a long-term ACL injury on the opening day of the Bundesliga season, it seems like the BVB's other Greek starlet has now been dealt a fitness blow too.
3) Mathis Albert deserves more playing time
Albert replaced Karetsas in the 70th minute for his first Bundesliga appearance of the season and delivered an encouraging display. Although Fabio Silva emerged as the best of the three substitutes on the night, the 17-year-old teen also injected plenty of attacking firepower.
Bustling with poise and energy, he was willing to receive a pass and quickly jumped into action right after, slaloming his way through Union Berlin's defense and linking up brilliantly with his teammates. He completed both his tackles on the day and won three of his four ground duels, a testament to his hunger and directness, whilst also getting a show away.
With more gametime, Albert could develop into a serious prospect.
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