Not nice, but successful: Borussia Dortmund wins the catch-up game at Mainz 05 with 1: 0 and is only four points behind serial master Bayern Munich.
Erling Haaland fell Jute Bellingham around his neck, then the Norwegian stretched the fist energetically towards the cheering BVB fans – this time it was not the personalized goalkeeper, the Borussia Dortmund shot back into the title race of the football Bundesliga. Replacement captain Axel Witsel met in the 87th minute in Mainz 05 to work hard 1: 0 (0: 0) victory for the team of coach Marco Rose, which used the most recent Patzer of the weakening Bavaria – four points is the residue only.
“It was a difficult game,” Witsel said at “Dazn”: “In the second half we made it better and creates chances. You can not always play beautiful, sometimes you have to win so.” The Belgian praised “the body language” and the “combat spirit” of the often too soft team. Player Emre Can added: “The victory tastes very good. Such victories are special.”
Haaland, whose departure is going to be imminent abroad, remained pale after his intercession, may dream of the title in his last games for the BVB. At the weekend after Easter it comes to the direct duel of the rivals in Munich.
BVB star also on the bench in focus
Despite the Corona problems with 14 infected professionals most recently, Mainz was long the better team against a weak BVB long, but then conceded a home defeat after eight games. It was not until Tuesday loud coach Bo Svensson had been free-tested the last players.
Rose had to renounce his diseased captain Marco Reus as well as on defensive Mats Hummels after surviving Corona infection. But before the kick-off, the looks were once again on Haaland and his future – the Norwegian was first again on the bench.
The BVB started with the victorious eleven of last weekend, but did ahead of 25,000 fans against grippy Mainz. The FSV was the almost three-week pause by the massive Corona outbreak initially not to be noted.
Dortmund has always got problems with the Mainz switching game, Emre Can rescued in the highest need against Jonathan Burkardt (27th). Offensive, the guests without Haaland opened nothing to a harmless attempt by Thorgan Hazard.
BVB-Joker Reyna prepares the Golden Gate
Before the eyes of national coach Hansi Flick and the new DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, little to the break initially changed. Dortmund acted retirantly and showed defensively susceptible. The Mainz Anton Stach (51) missed the gate from the distance only scarce.
Rose, former Mainz Professional, could by no means be satisfied with the appearance of his team in a partially heated game at his old workplace. After 56 minutes he brought Haaland into the game, but the next possibility was once again on the other side for Silvan Widmer (61.).
In the middle of the second half, the BVB increased and benefited from the dwindling forces among the hosts. Haaland immediately made for the best Dortmund Chance (68.), but FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner parished but strong. In the final phase Dortmund came mainly about standards in the danger z1. Perfect, just before finish, when Witsel was on the spot after a free-kick edge of Gio Reyna.
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