After ages and his criticism of the style of play under Niko Kovac, Julian Brandt scored twice (18th and 51st minute) for Borussia Dortmund – and yet it was only enough for a 2-2 (1-1) draw in the Champions League against Bodø/Glimt.
This could have serious consequences for BVB in the fight for a direct place in the round of 16. With eleven points, the Kovac team is only in eleventh place. If they had won, BVB would have gone into the final games at Tottenham Hotspur (January 20, 2026) and against Inter Milan (January 28) in fourth place.
Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck is angry, Nmecha speaks of arrogance
“It’s not bitter, it’s bad“said Nico Schlotterbeck on “DAZN” and was particularly angry about the way his team lost two leads. “I think some people don’t realize how important today was. Now we have to win the next two games.”
And Brandt said: “We concede unnecessary goals and have made life difficult for ourselves.” For Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha it’s a question of attitude: “We have a lot of chances that we have to take advantage of. Then there were phases where we became too casual, almost arrogant.”
BVB storm has been dominant in the Champions League so far
The fact that BVB shows a different face in the Champions League than in the Bundesliga is nothing new. The only difference from previous years is that Dortmund are currently successful in both competitions – but in different ways.
While everyday national life is so result-oriented that Brandt had critical words about football under Kovac last weekend, BVB is one of the best-performing goal factories in the premier class. Kovac’s team had scored four goals in four of the previous five games.
Dortmund took an early lead thanks to provider Fabio Silva
Now an opponent, Bodø/Glimt, came to the Westfalenstadion against whom this series should be continued – especially since the Norwegians are one of the biggest underdogs in the group phase and only had two points to their name. But the guests proved to be a difficult opponent, Gregor Kobel had to show his class when Kasper Høgh shot and directed the ball onto the post (12th).
Only then did Felix Nmecha have the first opportunity for Dortmund, who controlled the game, but Nikita Haikin also passed his first test of the evening with flying colors and defended with a flying save (13th). A little later, however, he was powerless when Fabio Silva won the ball 40 meters in front of the opponent’s goal, fed Brandt, who put his words into action and gave Dortmund an early lead (18th).
Aleesami annoys Dortmund and Marco Reus
Two minutes later, the Dortmund fans were screaming for goal again – but Maximilian Beier sent a header just past the goal from a few meters after a perfect Silva cross (20th). Shortly afterwards, Jobe Bellingham’s header was just a few centimeters away (23′). What was much more bitter than the missed chances was that Waldemar Anton had to leave the field injured after about half an hour.
BVB still remained in control and were highly superior, but were missing the second goal – that didn’t come even after a double chance from Beier and Silva, which was missed by Haikin (40th). And that took revenge. After a short corner, Haitam Aleesami came completely free to head the ball from five meters and equalized for Bødo/Glimt (42′). Long faces at BVB, and former captain Marco Reus was also shocked in the south stand.
Brandt double packs again after a long time
Shortly after the break, the mood was much better again – and again Brandt was responsible for that. Yan Couto prepared well, Haikin held off Beier after his cross, but Brandt scored to make it 2-1 (51′). It was his first brace in over three and a half years (on May 7, 2022 in the Bundesliga in a 3-1 win at Greuther Fürth).
And all of this just a few days after Brandt was pleased with Dortmund’s results, but not amused by how they came about. “If you’re honest, that’s not my way of playing football. Sometimes I just have to accept it.”said the 29-year-old, who was now able to impose “his” way of playing football in the Kovac system against Bodø/Glimt.
Hauge leaves Dortmund stunned for a second time
Including two back-heel tricks (one from Brandt), BVB then showed the fine art of football and the best attack of the game to date, but Beier was also unable to take advantage of this opportunity, who narrowly missed the goal (58th). Shortly afterwards, Haikin again used his fingertips to prevent the Dortmund winger from scoring a long-overdue goal, but the goalkeeper’s save was even better after the following corner, when Aaron Anselmino had a free header from four meters (62′).
For the Argentine, the game ended ten minutes later due to an injury – and while Emre Can was getting ready to be substituted, the guests struck in the majority. After a ping-pong action, Jens Hauge got the ball in the Dortmund penalty area and remained ice cold against Kobel (75th).
Kobel at least saves BVB a point
The goalkeeper had to prevent things from getting worse shortly before the end. With a great save he saved Daniel Svensson from an own goal (87th).
After the following corner, Ulrik Saltnes headed the ball into the side netting (88′). In these moments, Bodø/Glimt had to be annoyed that they hadn’t scored the winning goal – but after the game, BVB was particularly frustrated.
Dortmund on Sunday at SC Freiburg
The 2-2 draw was a bitter setback in the fight for direct qualification for the round of 16, for which the top 8 in the group phase are necessary. Next Sunday the Bundesliga continues at SC Freiburg (3:30 p.m.).