Under new head coach Nuri Sahin, Borussia Dortmund started the new Bundesliga season in the best way as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park.
During the first half, if you said to me (the writer) that Edin Terzic was still in charge I would believe you. Dortmund rarely challenged Kevin Trapp in Frankfurt’s goal and did not play the attractive attacking football that was promised.
The highlight of the first half was Hugo Ekitiké, the French forward constantly caused issues for Dortmund’s backline with his technique with his best move being a run from inside his own half, but that did not end up in a goal. Dortmund began to test Trapp closer to halftime, but nothing came of it.
Dortmund were better in the second half and had more control of the game. The introductions of Maximilian Beier and Jamie Gittens provided extra energy and pace that Dortmund had been lacking for the majority of the game, however, they still struggled to really dominate Frankfurt. Then in the 72nd minute, Gittens opened the scoring for Dortmund showing that he was ever much the talent that Terizc had neglected for most of last season.
Frankfurt then never troubled Dortmund majorly for the rest of the game, then right at the death, Gittens received the ball at the halfway line and countered with Beier in tow but doubled the lead all by himself to make it 2-0.
This win was classic Dortmund in recent times, where you could make the argument that they did really deserve to win but they got the job done. There were signs of the team that Dortmund could become, but the work still needs to be done by Sahin for Die Schwarzgelben to become convincing. Frankfurt were in a similar situation, there were glimpses of the team they could become but Dino Toppmöller has to do better with the amount of talent he has at his disposal.
Next week, Dortmund travels to Werder Bremen while Frankfurt hosts Hoffenheim.
Borussia Dortmund XI:
Gregor Kobel (6), Niklas Süle (6), Waldemar Anton (5), Nico Schlotterbeck (5), Donyell Malen (5), Emre Can (5), Pascal Groß (6), Julian Ryerson (6), Marcel Sabitzer (5), Julian Brandt (5), Karim Adeyemi (5)
Others: Maximilian Beier (6), Jamie Gittens (8), Giovanni Reyna (-), Felix Nmecha (-), Ramy Bensebaini (-)
Eintracht Frankfurt XI:
Kevin Trapp (5), Rasmus Kristensen (6), Tuta (5), Robin Koch (5), Arthur Theate (6), Ellyes Skhiri (6), Hugo Larsson (5), Omar Marmoush (6), Mario Götze (6), Farès Chaïbi (5), Hugo Ekitiké (7)
Others: Niels Nkounkou (5), Igor Matanovic (5), Oscar Højlund (5), Can Uzun (5), Ansgar Knauff (5)
GGFN Man of the Match: Jamie Gittens (8)
It is not a coincidence that Dortmund improved when the 20-year-old was introduced alongside Beier early in the second half. For the majority of last season, Gittens had shown his talent but was never trusted by then-head coach Terzic and often spent time on the bench or received minimal minutes. Although he did not start, the young Englishman staked a claim to start over Donyell Malen if Sahin persists with the three-at-the-back formation.
Both of Gittens’ goals were well taken with the first the pick of the two as he beat Rasmus Kristensen and produced a curling effort from a difficult angle. The winger’s second goal was also a striker finish as he cooly placed it past Trapp instead of squaring it to Beier.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
