Runner-up VfB Stuttgart delivered Borussia Dortmund a memorable defeat. The BVB went down without a sound in the Bundesliga Sunday match.
The most important points at a glance
First defeat for Nuri Sahin as Dortmund’s head coach.
Against runner-up Stuttgart, a severe defeat is suffered.
Waldemar Anton’s return to Stuttgart is particularly unpleasant.
The Dortmund professionals trudged with empty looks towards the changing rooms – accompanied by the mockery of the Stuttgart fans. “Dortmund goal factory,” sang the ecstatic VfB supporters after the memorable 5:1 (2:0) of the Swabians in the German Bundesliga. The BVB presented themselves alarmingly weak at their first defeat with new head coach Nuri Sahin, the supposed title contender is already five points behind leaders FC Bayern Munich.
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“We didn’t play a good game, we just lacked the basics,” said Waldemar Anton, who had been constantly booed as a former Stuttgart player, on the streaming service DAZN. “Defensively, it was nothing, we need to think about what caused that, such a game must not happen to us again.” Sahin stated that it was an “absolutely deserved” defeat. “Very, very poor,” said the coach, who spoke of a “non-performance.”
The attackers Deniz Undav (4th minute) and Ermedin Demirovic (21st minute) scored early for the runners-up in front of 60,000 spectators, who temporarily overwhelmed the Dortmund side. After the break, Enzo Millot (62nd), El Bilal Touré (80th), and again Undav (90th) added more goals. Former VfB striker Serhou Guirassy could only reduce the score for the guests (75th). VfB now has seven points just like BVB, but due to a better goal difference, they overtook the Black and Yellows.
“I’ve received pressure from my teammates that I need to start scoring,” said a satisfied Undav. “I’m overjoyed.” At home, the team is “more agile, more excited to win.”
Undav continues remarkable scoring run
The Dortmund team played a miserable first half hour. Memories of their weak performances in Stuttgart last season resurfaced when they lost both in the league and in the cup, leaving fans disappointed. National player Anton was still wearing the VfB jersey and captain’s armband at that time. Upon his return to Stuttgart, he was received by the home fans with heavy booing and a derogatory poster. The Stuttgart supporters took Anton’s move to BVB significantly worse than forward Guirassy’s.
VfB got off to a dream start. Undav scored the early 1:0 after an assist from Maximilian Mittelstädt and with the help of the right inner post. The 28-year-old has scored in three consecutive competitive matches for the Swabians, having previously netted his first goal for the national team. The striker is on a roll – and VfB has perfected the art of quick starts. For the third time this season, Stuttgart scored within the first eight minutes.
Demirovic adds – Kobel saves multiple times
The Swabians remained on the attack and added another through Demirovic. The new signing scored – also from an assist by Mittelstädt – with a free header. It was already the fifth competitive goal of the season for the forward. VfB’s performance, which had lost in the Champions League during the week to Real Madrid (1:3), was impressive.
Going forward they were harmless and defensively careless – this is how Borussia performed in the first good 30 minutes. They could thank their goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for not being already 3:0 or 4:0 down at halftime. The Swiss national goalkeeper, also a former Stuttgart player, made several strong saves – such as during a double chance from Millot and Undav (24th). Or just three minutes later again against Undav.
Only towards the end of the first half did BVB get a foot in the door. Jamie Gittens, who replaced the injured Felix Nmecha and had previously saved Dortmund in the Champions League against FC Brugge with a brace (3:0), brought new momentum.
Millot scores – Guirassy chips over Nübel
Guest coach Sahin brought on full-backs Yan Couto and Ramy Bensebaini for the second 45 minutes and made adjustments. BVB stabilized somewhat, with Julian Brandt having a chance to pull one back (55th). But shortly after, Millot was on hand to sweep up for a 3:0 for the Swabians. Guirassy scored shortly afterward through the legs of VfB goalkeeper Alexander Nübel. On the other side, however, substitute Touré also struck before Undav perfected the Dortmund debacle with his second goal.
Sources used:
News agency dpa