There were two changes from the team that started in the final match of 2021 against Mainz. Tuta returned after his suspension in place of Makoto Hasebe, while Ajdin Hrustic was a late replacemen for Djibril Sow, who couldn’t play following an inconclusive COVID-19 test.
Borré at the double
Dortmund caught the Eintracht defence a bit cold at the start and had two good opportunities in the first four minutes, with Thomas Meunier (2’) and Erling Haaland (4’) forcing smart saves from Kevin Trapp. Having survived that early pressure, it was the Eagles who took the lead with their first chance of the match. Filip Kostic whipped a fierce free-kick into the box which Rafael Borré met with his outstretched foot, and although Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel got a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out (15’).
That goal settled the hosts down and they were the better side from that point on. Kostic could have made it 2-0 when his shot from a tight angle was pushed behind by Kobel (19’), but Borré did get the second goal just five minutes later, pouncing on some sloppy Dortmund defending to steal the ball off Mats Hummels and fire it into the far corner – his fourth goal in five Bundesliga games.
It was almost 3-0 moments later as Evan Ndicka smashed the ball against the post from Hrustic’s delivery (29’), and then Jesper Lindström struck the side netting after seizing on a loose pass in midfield (34’). However, Eintracht were then grateful that it was still 2-0 after a big double chance for the visitors on the stroke of half-time. From Julian Brandt’s corner, Hummels’ header was brilliantly saved by Trapp, before Donyell Malen could only find the near post from the rebound.
Late goals turn it around
Far from sitting on their lead, the Eagles went in search of a third goal at the start of the second period and Lindström had a good chance to get it when he weaved through on goal, only to be denied by Kobel (47’). After that, though, the pressure from the Black and Yellows gradually increased. After Haaland and Brandt missed the target from half-chances (62’, 63’), substitute Thorgan Hazard gave them a lifeline, slotting past Trapp after being played in by Haaland (71’).
The game became more frantic after that, with Haaland having another opportunity for BVB (72’) and Kostic stinging the gloves of Kobel at the other end (78’). Dortmund looked a threat every time they attacked and the equaliser arrived on 87 minutes, Jude Bellingham powering a header home from Meunier’s cross. The turnaround was complete two minutes later, when Mahmoud Dahoud picked the ball up on the edge of the area and curled the ball into the bottom corner.
Summary: A game of turning points
While Borré’s opening goal looked to have been a turning point at half-time, Eintracht will be wondering what might have been had Lindström converted the chance to make it 3-0 at the start of the second half. After that, the Eagles eventually succumbed to the increasing pressure from Dortmund, who demonstrated their attacking quality at the end.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Hinteregger, Ndicka – Chandler, Rode (Jakic 66’), Hrustic (Paciencia 90+2’), Kostic – Kamada (Hasebe 79’), Lindström (Lammers 66’) – Borré
Goals
1-0 Borré (15’)
2-0 Borré (24’)
2-1 Hazard (71’)
2-2 Bellingham (87’)
2-3 Dahoud (89’)
