Borussia Dortmund suffered its first defeat of 2024 in its eighth competitive game against 1899 Hoffenheim.
On the 23rd matchday of the Bundesliga, BVB suffered a 2:3 (2:1) defeat in their home Westfalenstadion. After Donyell Mahlen (21st minute) and Nico Schlotterbeck (25th) turned the early deficit around after two set pieces by Ihlas Bebou (2nd) on Sunday (February 25th, 2024), the guests turned the tables even faster in the second half . Maximilian Beier (61st, 64th) scored a brace in three minutes to make it 3-2 for Hoffenheim, who celebrated their first win of the calendar year.
BVB, which received whistles from numerous fans, remained in fourth place with 41 points, but missed the chance to move away from fifth-placed Leipzig (40 points). Hoffenheim, who were previously winless in seven games, are now seventh with 30 points.
Can error leads to 0:1
The game started terribly for Dortmund. Emre Can, who was called up in central defense, failed to make a cross pass towards Schlotterbeck. Bebou splashed in between them and made it 1-0 after less than two minutes with a beautiful angled shot from the right.
But after just under a quarter of an hour, Dortmund picked up speed. In particular, the grinding, which was very dynamic in this phase, repeatedly caused danger on the left side. However, 1899 goalkeeper Oliver Baumann swiped the Dutchman’s first attempt wide of the goal (20′).
Two BVB standards, two goals
After that, Dortmund was clearly on the rise and also scored the equalizer. Marco Reus extended a Brandt corner from the left to the first post. Mahlen was quickest in the five-pointer, went energetically towards the ball and pushed it into the net for his 10th goal of the season.
Just a little later the hosts turned the game around with another standard. Reus lifted a free kick from the right edge of the penalty area perfectly onto the head of Schlotterbeck, who headed it in to make it 2-1.
Dortmund doesn’t do enough offensively
That seemed to be enough for BVB at first. The Black and Yellows were in control until the break and since Hoffenheim initially didn’t have the opportunity to switch, BVB went into the dressing room with a deserved lead.
For a long time in the second half, the hosts were unable to build up pressure. Hoffenheim defended solidly and waited for a counterattack.
Hoffenheim counters coldly
That paid off after just under an hour when Florian Grillitsch sent Beier on the half-left after winning the ball. After a swing inside, he shot from 18 meters to Schlotterbeck, who deflected unstoppably to make it 2-2. And when Beier was there again a little later after another counterattack with his 10th goal of the season to make it 3-2, things finally looked dark for Dortmund.
As in previous games, BVB couldn’t think of much against diligently defending guests. The overall inconspicuous Niclas Füllkrug (75th) clearly missed a shot from the left. Luck didn’t help the hosts either: When Marcel Sabitzer shot Grillitsch in the penalty area, the referee team did not award a hand penalty (82′).
Can misses last opportunity
BVB coach Edin Terzic switched offensively in the final phase and Can (90.+3) had a happy ending after a free kick in stoppage time. But standing completely free, Borussia’s captain headed over the goal.
Dortmund is now facing an “away double pack” in the Bundesliga. Next Saturday (March 2nd, 2024, 3:30 p.m.) we go to Union Berlin. A week later to Werder Bremen. The Hanseatic League will first host 1899 Hoffenheim on matchday 24.