Returnee Sancho scores a goal: first win since the end of November – BVB celebrates in Darmstadt

Borussia Dortmund won in the Bundesliga on Saturday (January 13, 2024) at SV Darmstadt 98 – including returnees Jadon Sancho played a role in this. But the decision-makers were different this time.

The goals in Dortmund’s 3-0 (1-0) win were scored by Julian Brandt (24th minute) after great preparatory work by Jamie Bynoe Gittens, Marco Reus (77th) and Youssoufa Moukoko (90th + 2). With this, BVB ended a small negative series: Dortmund had last won in the Bundesliga at the end of November, and three followed draw and a defeat.

The gap to leaders Bayer Leverkusen and defending champions FC Bayern Munich is still 15 and 11 points respectively for coach Edin Terzic’s team.

Brandt initially fails and later celebrates

Borussia Dortmund had some trouble at the start of the game against the well-organized “Lilien” from Darmstadt. It took until the 20th minute before BVB came dangerously close to the Hessian goal. Left-back Ian Maatsen, whom Dortmund signed from FC a few days ago Chelsea on loan, crossed to Brandt, who artistically maneuvered the ball towards the goal with his foot. But goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen parried.

BVB had the ball less often at halftime, which was a surprise, but the result wasn’t. That was also due to the class Bynoe Gittens and at that of Brandt. Four minutes after his first chance, Brandt appeared in front of shoes again, this time he also scored: Bynoe Gittens drove the ball through SV Darmstadt 98’s half of the pitch, outplaying several opponents and then a perfect pass to Brandt. And Brandt finished with a low shot. It was his sixth goal of the season and he is Dortmund’s top scorer.

Statisticians recorded four shots on goal for newly promoted Darmstadt at the end of the first half, but at most one will be remembered. In the 39th minute, Luca Pfeiffer crossed to the second post and found Tim Skarke there. He shot straight away, but didn’t hit the ball fully and put it over the goal.

Kobel saves artistically

Borussia Dortmund returned in the 55th minute Jadon Sancho into the game, less than three minutes later he shot in the penalty area. Only Darmstadt’s Clemens Riedel was standing there and he blocked the ball.

Almost ten minutes later, BVB had to tremble for a moment when Darmstadt’s Pfeiffer headed the ball from a few meters after a corner. They had to look for a long time to find an opponent. Pfeiffer’s header was powerful, but he didn’t place it in a corner. And that took revenge: Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel jumped off and threw his legs in the air; he actually made a save.

Sancho provided the assist on his comeback

The equalizer for Darmstadt was possible, but it didn’t happen. The decision was made in the final phase after an interaction between two Dortmund players joker. Sancho Played deliberately from the right side to the second post, where Reus stood and pushed in.

When stoppage time was already running in Darmstadt, BVB scored a third goal. The goalscorer was Moukoko, who had just been substituted. After a one-two with Marcel Sabitzer, Moukoko also danced past Christoph Klarer and shot the ball under the crossbar.

BVB in Cologne, “lilies” against Eintracht

The black and yellow will be challenged next matchday in Cologne (Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 3:30 p.m.). The Darmstadt team will play against Frankfurt at the same time.