Sport Sancho, Reus, Moukoko
Dortmund’s jokers make the work victory perfect
Status: 13.01.2024 | Reading time: 3 minutes
Borussia Dortmund succeeded in achieving the hoped-for restart. At least the result in the away game in Darmstadt was right in the end. The BVB professionals fear that it will still take time before they can radiate great shine again.
With returnee Jadon Sancho providing support and an unadorned victory, Borussia Dortmund started its race to catch up in the Bundesliga. The runner-up won 3-0 (1-0) against bottom team SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday evening. The German national player Julian Brandt scored in front of 17,810 spectators at the sold-out Böllenfalltor in the 24th minute, Marco Reus made it 2-0 after an assist from Sancho (77th). Youssoufa Moukoko (90th + 2) brought the final point. After the last four games without a threesome, BVB celebrated another sense of achievement in a disjointed encounter at the start of the year.
The gap to leaders Bayer Leverkusen and defending champions FC Bayern Munich is still 15 and eleven points respectively for coach Edin Terzić’s team. Newly promoted Darmstadt has now been without a win for ten games, but showed a courageous performance. “It was the difficult game we expected. Away, really cold. Almost like a cup game,” Reus summarized: “We couldn’t get into the flow and Darmstadt made it very difficult for us. After the 1-0 win, we were seen as making things easier for us. It was a labor victory.”
The preliminary decision: Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho made it 2-0
Quelle: AFP/KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV
BVB started the game without Mats Hummels, who was ill. Emre Can played for him in central defense alongside Nico Schlotterbeck. On the left side of the defense, Ian Maatsen (most recently FC Chelsea) made a reliable debut, while Sancho – the loanee from Manchester United had no match practice for a long time – initially sat on the bench.
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The Dortmund team started very carefully and let the lilies play along for the time being. The visitors’ lead came from a quick counterattack via Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Brandt pushed a flat shot into the far corner and scored his sixth goal of the season. Shortly before, the World Cup participant had failed due to preparatory work by Maadsen due to SVD keeper Marcel Schuhen.
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For the still biting and courageous Darmstadt team, nothing more stood out before the break than a dangerous direct pass from Tim Skarke. The tireless relegation candidate regularly conquered sloppily played balls from the opponent. “The ball was gone very, very quickly in the first 30 minutes. We had no control and Darmstadt had a lot of possession as a result. “It wasn’t a feast for the eyes,” said goalscorer Brandt.
Sancho and Reus stand out as jokers
“January can be our month,” BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl predicted. The new Terzić assistants Nuri Şahin and Sven Bender appeared on the sidelines from time to time to push their team forward. But too rarely did Dortmund really pick up the pace. And Brandt often got stuck somewhere in midfield.
In the 55th minute, Reus came on as a substitute and Sancho also made his comeback as a substitute, but he also quickly felt the hosts’ strength in duels. Almost ten minutes later, BVB almost conceded the equalizer: Luca Pfeiffer came completely free to head the ball from close range, goalkeeper Gregor Kobel blocked it with his foot.
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With a cross pass to Reus like in earlier times, Sancho then managed to assist on the goal. “He is a difference player and I really enjoy playing with him,” said Reus: “I was very happy when his signing was perfect.” However, it will still be a long way before we can see the exhilarating football of old days again Work will be necessary, as Reus suspects: “We are taking small steps. We worked very well in the training camp. But this will all take some time. When it comes to Jadon, we shouldn’t forget that he hasn’t played for a long time. Every minute helps,” predicted Reus.
After a one-two with Marcel Sabitzer, Moukoko, who was also substituted, was also able to celebrate a goal shortly before the end. Brandt’s final words: “A disjointed game, a chaotic game. With a satisfactory result for us.”