Dortmund vs RB Leipzig Review
RB Leipzig suffered their first Bundesliga loss of the season, falling 2-1 to Dortmund, who have now been victorious in their last seven league games at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund’s poor start to the season has intensified the pressure on new manager Nuri Şahin, a situation worsened by an injury crisis that has severely impacted the team. Nevertheless, the home side came out strong in the first half.
Jamie Gittens was a constant threat, initially delivering a cross to the back post for Maximilian Beier, who missed a significant opportunity by heading wide on his 50th Bundesliga appearance. Gittens then had a shot saved by Péter Gulácsi after receiving a pass from Julian Brandt, a missed chance that proved costly when Leipzig took the lead with their first attempt on goal. After 27 minutes, Loïs Openda’s backheel assist set up Benjamin Šeško, whose shot went through Alexander Meyer and into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
Dortmund fans were taken aback, but the home team remained undeterred and almost equalized right away through Gittens, whose shot was expertly saved by Gulácsi’s extended leg. However, the relief for the visiting fans was short-lived, as their lead disappeared from the ensuing corner when Beier scored from Felix Nmecha’s assist, marking his first goal in Dortmund colors.
The early part of the second half was much quieter in comparison, with Gulácsi continuing to perform well by stopping a close-range attempt from Nico Schlotterbeck. Nonetheless, he couldn’t stop Serhou Guirassy, as Dortmund’s new striker headed in his eighth goal for the club after receiving a cross from Beier, giving the home team a well-earned lead.
Leipzig had to react, but Dortmund’s captain Emre Can, filling in as a center-back, executed an excellent goalline clearance to stop Eljif Elmas, and Brandt was thwarted by another outstanding save from Gulácsi. Despite a late push from the Red Bulls, they were unable to capitalize, as Marco Rose’s team struggled offensively throughout the match. Consequently, they experienced their first loss in 11 away Bundesliga games, leaving them three points behind the early leaders, Bayern Munich.
