Borussia Dortmund moved to within four points of Union Berlin on Saturday afternoon with an mesmerising display against a hapless Stuttgart. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring inside two minutes and the visitors just never recovered. It was a complete domination from Edin Terzic’s BVB.
Positive response from Borussia Dortmund is just what they needed
It’s been a strange couple of weeks for Borussia Dortmund. They capitulated against Cologne, losing 3-2 but responded well against Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker – mounting a sublime comeback to earn a point after being 2-0 down. A 2-0 defeat against Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin last weekend following a poor display against 2. Bundesliga Hannover in the DFB Pokal on Wednesday raised questions, despite advancing to the Last 16. BVB bosses have always backed Terzic but you couldn’t help feel that a defeat against Stuttgart would increase pressure on the 39-year-old.
In midweek, Terzic called on his players to be mature and to win their duels. On Saturday, they did just that. Their performance against Stuttgart had everything. A solid defensive display, threat from set-pieces and quick transitions in the final third. Each of BVB’s five goals on Saturday was unique in their own way. At 19, Bellingham plays with such panache and he’s the player that makes this side tick. Reyna also scored on his return to the squad and in the absence of Thomas Meunier, Niklas Süle proved a threat at right-back. The relationship between Youssoufa Moukoko and Terzic may just be enough to persuade the 17-year-old to sign an extension whilst Julian Brandt is perhaps underappreciated in this squad.
It was important that Borussia Dortmund got a result today. More so given Bayern Munich’s win against Hoffenheim who at the time, had the third best defence in the Bundesliga. Four points behind leaders Union Berlin, Terzic’s Borussia Dortmund are still in this title race, just.
Do Stuttgart need to worry?
After a winless start to their Bundesliga season, Pellegrino Matarazzo was dismissed. Appointed as interim coach until a successor is found, Michael Wimmer won against Bochum last weekend and would guide VfB to the Round of 16 in the DFB Pokal after beating Arminia Bielefeld in midweek. With 10 goals in their last two games, it looked as though Wimmer may have instilled confidence back into the squad. But against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday afternoon, it was quite the opposite. If Schalke beat Hertha Berlin on Sunday, Stuttgart may find themselves in the relegation zone come the end of the matchday.
Borna Sosa has been unable to replicate last season’s form, they miss the goals of Sasa Kalajdzic and Tiago Tomás hasn’t lived up to expectations. Back at his former club, Dan-Axel Zagadou struggled against Borussia Dortmund and despite signing Serhou Guirassy on loan, Stuttgart never looked like scoring. Sven Mislintat did state that Wimmer would be a candidate for the position full time, Alfred Schreuder (Ajax) has already turned the role down and discussions have been ongoing with Jess Thorup. It’s important that Stuttgart bosses make a decision soon to offer some stability to this squad.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
