Daniel Pinder – from the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund.
Borussia Dortmund handed RB Leipzig their first Bundesliga defeat of the season with goals from Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy to keep Nuri Sahin in a job, as Marco Rose’s side failed to capitalise on Dortmund’s injury-hit squad.
With Emre Can starting in defence alongside Nico Schlotterbeck and with Pascal Groß deputising in an unfamiliar role at right-back, as well as Marcel Sabitzer playing out of position, Lois Openda and Co. were unable to really trouble Dortmund’s makeshift defence.
Nuri Sahin outwits Marco Rose
Borussia Dortmund came into this game on the back of three successive defeats (5-2 vs Real Madrid, 2-1 vs Augsburg and a 1-0 DFB Pokal exit vs Wolfsburg), and thus Nuri Sahin desperately needed to avoid a fifth defeat six games. But his side didn’t look like one that lacks confidence with Die Schwarzgelben controlling the game from the off. Jamie Gittens and Maximilian Beier looked bright as Dortmund’s front five pressed Leipzig high up the pitch and although going behind via Benjamin Sesko, they responded immediately through Beier.
And it was much of the same after the break. Dortmund continued to press Leipzig in a mid-block and again Gittens was at the centre of it. Although he spurned three key chances, the Englishman was bright and always aimed to take on his opposing number. As Dortmund went in search for the lead, Serhou Guirassy proved problematic for Willi Orban and Co. and he was rewarded with fifth Bundesliga goal in seven games, heading the ball beyond Peter Gulacsi. Unbeaten in the Bundesliga heading into this game, Leipzig had it relatively easy and this is the first time that a side has troubled Marco Rose’s side. Switching from a back three to a back four, Dortmund found themselves overloading in the wide areas, but Rose failed to adapt and it ultimately cost them.
Felix Nmecha makes a claim for Borussia Dortmund starting berth
Injuries have plagued Borussia Dortmund with ten players out for Nuri Sahin’s side. A tactical tweak saw Die Schwarzgelben line up in a flat 4-1-4-1 formation with Felix Nmecha as the six, behind Marcel Sabitzer and Julian Brandt. Nmecha was making just his fourth Bundesliga start of the season, but his performance against RB Leipzig suggests that it won’t be his last.
After being sidelined for so long with a hip injury last season, missing 16 games, Nmecha has done a tremendous job, returning to top form. Controlling the game against Leipzig, the 24-year-old showed some excellent touches and always looked to progress the ball. The first half saw Nmecha heavily involved with 43 touches and two key passes, including a big chance created – per Sofascore. One of Borussia Dortmund’s most effective players on the night.
RB Leipzig fail to find their rhythm
Marco Rose’s RB Leipzig came into this game unbeaten but given Borussia Dortmund’s injury crisis, they perhaps expected an easier game – and that looked to have affected them psychologically. Benjamin Sesko gave Leipzig the lead after 27 minutes with their first shot of the game as Borussia Dortmund dominated the opening stages and in truth, the Saxony club failed to get out of second gear. Lacking creativity with Xavi Simons absent and Lois Openda not at full fitness, Leipzig really struggled in the final third while their midfield duo of Amadou Haidara and Arthur Vermeeren failed to impose themselves on the game.
