It was an ups and down of emotions, but in the end pure black and yellow joy: Borussia Dortmund ended its initial crisis in the Bundesliga with a 4:2 (1:2) win at SC Freiburg. This was mainly due to a brace from Mats Hummels on Saturday (September 16th, 2023).
After the 2-2 draw against 1. FC Heidenheim despite a 2-0 lead, there was a lot of pressure on the Dortmund cauldron throughout the entire international break – and the fact that BVB didn’t get even louder was down to the defense chief. Hummels impressed in defense with 68 percent of duels won and several successful tackles in difficult situations, in the build-up of the game with almost 90 percent of successful passes – but the most important thing were his two goals.
First the 34-year-old brought his team took the lead 1-0 (11th), then shortly before the end he made it 3-2 (88th), before Marco Reus finally decided the game (90th + 2). Lucas Höler (45’+2) and Nicolas Höfler (45’+6) turned the game towards Freiburg in stoppage time in the first half, and Donyell Malen (60′) equalized. In the final phase, Dortmund took advantage of their power play after the red card against Höfler (82nd, serious foul).
BVB coach Terzic and SC coach Streich with us different Viewpoints
Although BVB once again cramped after their own lead, coach Edin Terzic took home positive insights. In the Sportschau interview he said that we had seen “We can rely on each other, no matter what setbacks there are. We can come back again.”
Terzic spoke of a deserved victory for Dortmund, what Freiburg Coach Christian Streich saw things completely differently. “The result is crazy. Because what was on the pitch doesn’t correspond to the result in any way. The team worked through everything, we won so many duels, we were there, we had chances to score.”
Dortmund’s Hummels heads into the History books
BVB approached the game very actively and determined what was happening. The efforts were rewarded quite early on. After a corner from Julian Brandt, Hummels was completely free to head the ball, didn’t even have to jump up and made it 1-0 for the guests. In this situation, Freiburg again showed defensive behavior like before the international break, when they lost 5-0 at VfB Stuttgart.
For Hummels, the first goal of the season was a very special one in Bundesliga history. The 2014 world champion has scored in every season of the past 16 years – only five other players had achieved this before him. Among others, Michael Zorc, who was recently Hummels’ sports director in Dortmund.
Freiburg struck twice in stoppage time
However, Freiburg certainly showed a reaction to the renewed setback and appeared on the offensive more often. The best chance to equalize was missed by Michael Gregoritsch, who prevailed in the aerial battle against Hummels, but narrowly missed the goal (16th). Things got even tighter for BVB when Philipp Lienhart hit the outside post with a volley (31′), and Ritsu Doan’s attempt just over the goal didn’t miss much (40′).
Shortly before half-time, Freiburg rewarded themselves. Vincenzo Grifo, who came into the game early due to Gregoritsch’s injury, hit a great cross from the halffield and Höler let the ball slide over his head into the far corner to make it 1-1. But that wasn’t it: Shortly afterwards, Grifo crossed again with pinpoint accuracy from a free kick and this time Höfler was there with his head – Freiburg’s turnaround within four minutes in stoppage time.
BVB has to react – and does so
Before the international break, Dortmund had already carelessly squandered a lead against 1. FC Heidenheim (2:2) and caused unrest in the club’s environment, and even the position of coach Terzic was questioned. Now BVB gave up the lead again and needed one of their own in the second half comeback.
Dortmund put pressure on them accordingly and had an opportunity again after a long time. Julian Brandt finished after a mistake by Höfler, but his right-foot shot narrowly missed the targeted far corner (54′). From a similar position, Donyell Malen did better, converting flatly (60′). The assist to make it 2-2 came from Niclas Füllkrug, who had just come on as a substitute shortly before.
Höfler’s blackout helps Dortmund
However, the equalizer again caused a break in Dortmund’s game, Freiburg stormed again and worked on taking the lead again. Gregor Kobel prevented this with a powerful shot from Höler at the near corner (70th).
And then a Freiburg player ensured that their own attack was ended: Höfler drilled Marcel Sabitzer’s studs into the side of his leg without a chance to get the ball and was rightly shown a red card (82′). The hosts were outnumbered and BVB had another great chance to turn things around.
And Hummels, who was outstanding in defense and offense, took advantage of this again. After a free kick from Reus, the defense chief kept an overview and poked the ball into the goal to make it 3-2 for Dortmund (88th). Reus made the decision five minutes later (90+2). And now BVB’s haul after four games looks quite decent with eight points.
BVB against Wolfsburg, Freiburg in Frankfurt
Dortmund face Paris on Tuesday Saint Germain and then on the 5th matchday against VfL Wolfsburg (Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). The team from Freiburg meets Eintracht one day later (5.30 p.m.).