Mario Gotze whipped in a great ball from the left but Leipzig’s defence was equal to the task and the header clear was directed straight to the pacey Bruma who ran the length of the pitch before losing possession in Dortmund’s third.
90' +3
ALMOST FOR AUBAMEYANG whose shot was parried well by Gulacsi, but the Hungarian goalkeeper directed the ball right into the path of Yarmolenko who volleyed the shot well wide of the target! He was inside the area and shooting at an open goal and he still conspired to miss it. That seems to be an accurate summary of the Ukrainian forward’s day as he has rarely been on target.
90' +1
The referee has given five minutes of extra time, and rightly so after the numerous cards and penalty shots awarded in the second half. Dortmund have the required time to get something out of this match, but they will have to be much more economical in their chances.
88'
STAT: Borussia Dortmund have not conceded three goals in a Bundesliga match since a 4-1 loss to Bayern Munich in April of 2017.
86'
W. Orbán enters the game and replaces M. Sabitzer.
The final substitution of the day for Leipzig is a defensive one, with Willi Orban entering in the place of goal scorer Marcel Sabitzer.
85'
The free-kick is taken very well but Yarmolenko could only direct it right to where Gulacsi was standing, even from point-blank range. A bit fortunate for Leipzig to still be in the lead, but Borussia are flowing forward at every chance and will certainly fancy their chances of scoring an equalizer.
83'
D. Demme gets yellow.
Christian Pulisic went on a marauding run on the right and the substitute Diego Demme took out the legs of the American. A cynical foul and Demme is given a yellow card.
81'
The Leipzig attack has been stifled recently with every attacking foray seeming to flow the way of Dortmund. Leipzig have done an impressive job locking down and defending for their lives, even having lost one of their starting centre-backs. It will be a testy last 10 minutes to the contest, but three points certainly looks well within the grasp of the away side.
79'
The set-piece is taken quickly to a sprinting Aubameyang but the ball is played with too much pace and Aubameyang can only watch the ball go out for a goal-kick.
78'
Borussia are attacking with urgency, but perhaps the lack of any remaining substitutions could affect their end-game productivity as tired legs and exhausted minds begin to wear down under the pressure of the home fans. They have just won a free-kick in the attacking third after a Kampl kick-out on Gotze.
Minute
Description
76'
STAT: Borussa Dortmund have not lost a home match in the Bundesliga since April of 2015 – a 1-0 against Bayern Munich.
74'
Gonzalo Castro has a shot from just outside the area after some nifty holdup play from Yarmolenko but the final strike is directed right at a thankful Gulacsi who keeps his side ahead by 1.
72'
M. Götze gets yellow.
Mario Gotze receives his first yellow card of the season after stepping on the foot of Laimer. A bit overdramatic from the referee, but understandable in the context of this frenetic and aggressive match.
70'
Kampl curled in a free-kick which couldn’t beat the first man and BVB immediately turned that into a blistering counter-attack. Aubameyang was charging down the right flank with pace but his early cross flew just too far for Castro to get a touch and the danger was alleviated for Gulacsi.
68'
Dortmund, since scoring their second are in complete control of the play. The reduction of Leipzig to 10 men has bolstered the confidence of the home side who are now once again able to match up man for man. As promising as it seems for BVB, this is exactly how Leipzig like to play – without possession on the counter-attack.
65'
K. Laimer enters the game and replaces J. Augustin.
Immediately after conceding their second, Hasenhuttl makes a change, substituting striker Jean-Kevin Augustin for Konrad Laimer.
64'
Penalty goal scored by P. Aubameyang for Borussia Dortmund!
AND AUBAMEYANG REDUCES THE DEFICIT! He too sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and smartly rolled the ball into the bottom right-hand corner while Gulacsi flung himself to the left. 3-2 for Leipzig in an absolutely insane contest!
63'
The referee has given the foul as a penalty shot as the contact was deemed to be in the area! Up steps Aubameyang...
61'
Aubameyang has gone down just outside the box but it appears first contact between the striker and his marker was made inside the area! The referee is now consulting V.A.R to see whether or not a penalty should be awarded.
58'
STAT: RB Leipzig are looking for their first back-to-back away wins since October 2016.
56'
S. Ilsanker gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
AND IT’S A RED CARD FOR ILSANKER! UNBELIEVABLE SCENES AT THE SIGNAL-IDUNA-PARK! Having just been carded two minutes earlier, a needless shove at midfield has earned the Austrian defender his second yellow card of the match, thus expelling him. Its 3-1 Leipzig but with each team now fielding 10 men! Could this get any crazier?!
54'
S. Ilsanker gets yellow.
More hostility between the two players as Yarmolenko gets into a shoving match with Ilsanker, who was deemed the aggressor and the RB Leipzig defender will be given a yellow card.
53'
What an incredible start to the second half! Right from the outset there has been a red card, a yellow card, a penalty awarded and a goal. If we thought these two sides reached peak tempo in the first 45, then we were sorely mistaken. There are still an abundance of goals in this match, though one would assume that Dortmund will be on the receiving end, now that they are down a man.
51'
Marc Bartra enters the game and replaces M. Philipp.
After the red card, Peter Bosz is forced into making another substitution – his third of the game already, as centre-back Marc Bartra replaces Maximilian Philipp.
49'
Penalty goal scored by J. Augustin for RB Leipzig!
Augustin cooly slots the ball in the bottom-right corner, sending Burki the other way! 3-1 to the visitors! The home crowd are stunned into silence!
48'
R. Bürki gets yellow.
Before the penalty, Burki is given a yellow card for protestation.
47'
S. Papastathopoulos goes off after a red card!
RED CARD! Sokratis has been given a red card for dragging down Augustin in the penalty area! Things go from bad to worse for Dortmund! A penalty has also been given to Leipzig who could make it 3-1!
46'
J. Weigl enters the game and replaces N. Şahin.
C. Pulišić enters the game and replaces J. Toljan.
D. Demme enters the game and replaces N. Keïta.
Naby Keita, who was on a yellow card, is wisely replaced by Hasenhuttl for Diego Demme.
Peter Bosz has substituted Jeremy Toljan out for Christian Pulisic.
Peter Bosz's second substitution sees Julian Weigl enter the fray for Nuri Sahin.
45' +1
The referee has called this frantic first half to a close after one minute of stoppage time.
45'
Borussia Dortmund get the second period underway!
44'
Upon replaying the incident, it seems as though a Leipzig player had blocked the ball with his arm inside the area. It looks as though it should have been a penalty for Dortmund, although no player had the time to appeal for it in the moment.
41'
HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN!? Three or four Dortmund attackers had their chance to blast the ball at an open goal after Aubameyang went through alone against Gulacsi but a number of Leipzig defenders were quick to get behind their floored goalkeeper and make a number of necessary blocks. Incredible, it really should have been all square at 2’s.
40'
Gotze teed the ball up perfectly for Yarmolenko just outside the penalty area but his curling effort was poor and missed the target altogether. Not the finish the Ukrainian was looking for.
39'
Shouts for a penalty are quickly waived away by the referee. Bruma, who was once again pulling the strings in attack, played the ball to Augustin with his back to goal and quickly went down in a heap. The match official deemed the display of strength nothing out of the ordinary and continued play.
37'
Leipzig are once again in a good attacking position, but Bruma’s errant pass allowed Dortmund to get out of jail. It seems as though any passage of play not resulting in a goal is through individual error, and in no way associated with defensive stability. It has been a predictably mad first half.
35'
This time the corner was a passing routine with the ball over the top ending behind Burki’s net for a goal-kick. Borussia Dortmund look shell-shocked at the minute and will absolutely need a second goal to calm their nerves. They cannot possibly rely on their previously stout defence to win them this match, the pace is simply too quick.
33'
Kampl’s corner from the right-hand side was swung in dangerously but Omer Toprak’s swinging leg was enough to put it out for a corner on the other side.
31'
Bernardo gets yellow.
The set-piece was hit by Castro but the ball was not of the required quality, and Leipzig were able to clear effectively – spelling the danger once again.
30'
A two-footed tackle on Gotze will earn Bernardo his side’s second yellow card of the match, and will give Dortmund a free-kick in a dangerous area.
29'
Since conceding the early goal, Leipzig has looked the better team. Their youth and pace has exposed the Dortmund defensive unit who are simply unable to keep pace with the speed of the opposition’s counters. Much in the same way Tottenham tortured BVB in the Champion’s League – Leipzig has been looking to their wingers to supply much of the pressure.
27'
Full of confidence Bruma attempts a couple of step-overs in the Borussia penalty area before trying to curl a shot which was weak and landed in the grasp of Roman Burki who has been relatively poor in what little work he has had today.
25'
Y. Poulsen has scored a goal for RB Leipzig! Assist by Bruma.
Bruma's mazy run and pass will be given as the assist.
AND THE COUNTER LEADS TO A SECOND LEIPZIG GOAL! UNBELIEVABLE! Bruma threw Toljan off of him and dribbled up the by-line before pulling it back to Poulsen to tap home! Poor positioning by both Burki and the defence but its 2-1 for Leipzig! Incredible!
24'
Aubameyang had gotten into a great attacking position after the throw but three Leipzig defenders swarmed around him and touched the ball away for Gulacsi to clear and start a counter-attack.
22'
Leipzig are building steadily here getting most players in or around the penalty area. Dortmund’s press did not allow Leipzig the time they needed to spot the killer pass, and the final ball over the top for Augustin rolls too far for the French striker, as Sokratis was there to shepherd it out of play.
20'
And it almost was! A big throw was sent into the box and Nuri Sahin caught the free ball well, but his powerful volley sailed wide-right of Gulacsi’s far post. Another great opportunity for Dortmund.
19'
Gotze went on a strong run through the middle but the ball was poked away from him at the vital moment. BVB have won a throw-in right beside the right corner flag which could be used effectively.
17'
Kevin Kampl sends a great pass in the channel to Augustin, but the referee deems that he was a step offside. He would have been through on goal had he checked his run.
15'
N. Keïta gets yellow.
The first yellow card of the match goes to Naby Keita for a challenge on Nuri Sahin at midfield.
14'
We have not had a second to breathe in this contest, with attacks coming from every angle. Both sides’ attacking philosophies will not be good for their goals conceded record, but it is providing plenty of entertainment in the early going.
12'
AND IT’S ALMOST 2-1 FOR BORUSSIA IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EQUALIZER! Yarmolenko played a brilliant through ball to Aubameyang but Gulacsi saw the danger and rushed out of his goal to block the shot. End-to-end stuff here in Dortmund!
10'
M. Sabitzer has scored a goal for RB Leipzig! Assist by M. Halstenberg.
Marcel Halstenberg's header on for Sabitzer is given as the assist.
THE VISITORS HAVE RESTORED PARITY! A free-kick taken by Kampl midway between the halfway line and the 18-yard box was floated in for Halstenberg whose bit of head tennis gets the ball to Sabitzer who turns it in past Burki confidently. A great set-piece goal makes it 1-1!
8'
PHENOMENAL SAVE BY BURKI! Augustin got into a fantastic position on the left-hand side of the box and tried to curl one into the near post but Burki’s leg was equal to it and he almost volleyed it out of the air and clear of the danger. Still 1-0!
6'
It has been a very entertaining beginning to the match with each side looking to attack at breakneck speed. Both sides will be using their pace down the wings to expose the other fullbacks, and for Leipzig, they now have the almost impossible task of mounting a comeback away from home at the Iduna.
4'
P. Aubameyang has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund!
AND ITS 1-0 TO DORTMUND LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES INTO THE MATCH! The press has worked wonders this time as Aubameyang closed down on an unaware Ilsanker, stealing the ball from his foot and slotting it easily past Peter Gulacsi in the Leipzig net! A frenetic start has produced an early goal! The hosts lead!
2'
Leipzig have settled in here since that earlier error, but Dortmund are quick to press anytime the ball is held in the midfield or defensive third. Phillip was too eager in his closing-down and gave away a cheap free-kick in the Leipzig half.
1'
Leipzig get us underway in the first half attacking from right to left!
Right from the kick-off Leipzig gave the ball right to Phillip whose shot was blocked by a teammate! Not a good way to start the match for the away side!
Good afternoon and welcome to the Signal-Iduna-Park in Dortmund for our live text commentary of Borussia Dortmund against RB Leipzig!
Dortmund coach Peter Bosz had his side firing on all cylinders before the international break - with Borussia leading the Bundesliga on 19 points after seven matches. Having taken full advantage of Bayern Munich’s slow start, the hosts currently own the most prolific attack in the Germany, averaging three goals per game. They also own the best defensive record, conceding just twice in the domestic league.
Their impressive start could be credited to the fact that Dortmund have only faces two sides in the top 7, and none in the top 4 of the German table. Leipzig today should prove to be a sterner test, as Leipzig’s attack has been more productive than any of the sides that Borussia have come up against. The absence of Timo Werner will certainly be good news for BVB’s defensive unit, although Yussuf Poulsen provides his own challenges.
As for Leipzig, they have started this year well, proving that last year’s impressive performance was more than a one-off. RB Leipzig sit in fourth place with three wins in their last five games. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side has fared decently well away from home, winning two of four, averaging a goal conceded per match. A trip to the Signal-Iduna-Park is never an easy feat, and Leipzig’s only ever previous trip to Dortmund resulted in a 1-0 defeat in their first ever year in the Bundesliga.
Both teams are also competing in this year’s edition of the Champions League but have been unable to translate their domestic form to international competition. Dortmund have started their campaign with two 3-1 defeats to Tottenham and the current holders Real Madrid, whilst Leipzig managed a point against Monaco on the opening match day, and followed that with a loss in Turkey against Besiktas. With both teams facing midweek ties against APOEL and Porto respectively, this could be the perfect game to build momentum after the World Cup qualifier break.
With fifteen minutes until kick-off, the team news has been announced. Let’s begin with the home side:
Borussia Dortmund Starting XI (4-3-3): Roman Burki; Dan-Axel Zagadou, Omer Toprak, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Jeremy Toljan; Mario Gotze, Nuri Sahin, Gonzalo Castro; Maximilian Philipp, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andriy Yarmolenko.
Borussia Dortmund substitutes: Roman Weidenfeller, Marc Bartra, Alexander Isak, Mahmoud Dahoud, Christian Pulisic, Shinji Kagawa, Julian Weigl.
RB Leipzig Starting XI (4-4-2): Peter Gulacsi; Marcel Halstenberg, Dayot Upemacano, Stefan Ilsanker, Bernardo; Bruma, Kevin Kampl, Naby Keita, Marcel Sabitzer; Jean-Kevin Augustin, Yussuf Poulsen.
RB Leipzig substitutes: Willi Orban, Emil Forsberg, Timo Werner, Benno Schmitz, Konrad Laimer, Yvon Mvogo, Diego Demme.
Peter Bosz is currently facing an injury crisis, with Andre Schurrle, Lukasz Piszczek, Marco Reus, Eric Durm, Marcel Schmelzer and Raphael Guerreiro among the names unavailable for today’s clash, while Mahmoud Dahoud and Marc Bartra are only fit enough for the bench.
There is better news for Leipzig as they will be welcoming back dynamic midfielder Naby Keita. Timo Werner has also returned from the neck injury he sustained in their Champions League tie against Besiktas – but will begin the match on the substitute’s bench with Yussuf Poulsen partnering Jean-Kevin Augustin in his place.
HALF-TIME: Borussia Dortmund 1 - 2 RB Leipzig.
The end of the first half will provide us with an opportunity to breathe after a relentless 45 minutes of all-out attack. Aubameyang had put the hosts up 1-0 within five minutes after superbly pressuring the Leipzig defence. His goal was quickly matched by Marcel Sabitzer from a set-piece, and Poulsen completed the comeback after a fantastic bit of dribbling from the danger man – Bruma. Leipzig started shaky and looked completely unable to handle Borussia Dortmund’s intense press, but have since intelligently decided to utilize long-balls and aerial passes, instead of playing through the pressure.
Peter Bosz will be furious with his side’s defending. Going into matchday 8, BVB had allowed the least goals in the German top flight, but they are not playing that way today. Lax marking at a set-piece and poor positioning and covering on the wings allowed Leipzig to take back control of the match. Borussia’s two-year undefeated home streak is at stake, and they will need to be much better on both sides of the ball in the second period to overturn the deficit.
The referee blows the final whistle and an exuberant Ralph Hasenhuttl runs straight onto the pitch to celebrate with his side who have done ever so well to lock up all three points at the Signal-Iduna-Park. A herculean effort has seen RB Leipzig triumph over Borussia Dortmund 3-2!
We hope you enjoyed today’s commentary and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
A host of chances then fell to Dortmund to equalize, but a resolute Leipzig defence weathered the storms and ultimately earned their 3-2 victory, their first ever points in Dortmund. Hasenhuttl was understandable ecstatic upon the final whistle, as his side climb above Hoffenheim and into third place. It will certainly be a boost to the confidence of the young Leipzig squad who welcome Porto to Red Bull Arena in midweek Champion’s League action.
What a phenomenal advertisement for the German Bundesliga this match has been! Both sides maintain an attacking philosophy and that was certainly on display here. Both Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig counter-attacked with velocity and the high press meant that time was a luxury in both midfield and defence. An early opening goal by Aubameyang was quickly cancelled out and then overturned by two strikes in quick succession for Marcel Sabitzer and Poulsen.
FULL-TIME: Borussia Dortmund 2 - 3 RB Leipzig
The second half began with the same intensity as the first, as Sokratis was shown a straight red card for his challenge in the area on Augustin, who then calmly rolled in the penalty to make it 3-1 for the away side. Five minutes following Leipzig’s insurance goal, Ilsanker incurred the wrath of his manager as two ridiculous yellow cards meant the Austrian defender was shown his marching orders as well, restoring parity as each team was left with ten men. The referee again had a part to play along with V.A.R after contact on Aubameyang was deemed to have taken place inside the box, meaning a penalty was awarded to Dortmund. Bosz’s Gabonese hitman easily dispatched of the penalty in the same fashion as Augustin less than twenty minutes prior.
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