Borussia Dortmund trail leaders Bayern Munich by six points at the midway stage, but everything is possible with a fit and firing Erling Haaland in the side.
Story so far
The arrival of Marco Rose from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer fueled high expectations for Bayern to mount a sustained push, which were bolstered by a 5-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on the season’s opening day.
However, it takes time for a new coach’s ideas and philosophy to be conveyed, and a 2-1 loss to Freiburg dampened some of the early enthusiasm.
Three straight wins put the Westphalians back on track, and they climbed to second place on Matchday 8 and have been there ever since, even if a 3-2 setback to Hertha Berlin and only one win in four games made for a poor finale to the season.
Key player
When completely fit, Haaland is unrivaled in terms of goal-scoring potential. Despite having a few niggles in the early half of the season, the Norwegian has managed to score more than a goal per game (1.18), averaging one every 69 minutes in his 11 outings.
Thirteen may be an unlucky number for some, but Haaland’s haul for the Hinrunde, which featured a Bundesliga-record-breaking 50th goal, has the 21-year-old in contention for the Torjägerkanone and Dortmund hopeful of a title assault.
Borussia Dortmund’s current run
Champions League
Borussia Dortmund were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League. Two goals from Pedro Goncalves and a red card for Emre Can condemned Dortmund to a 2-0 defeat, dealing a knockout punch to their boom and bust campaign.
Dortmund’s Champions League defeat to Sporting adds to the league’s woes. The Black and Yellows became the season’s second German club to be relegated.
RB Leipzig, who reached the final two years ago, was also been eliminated, and Wolfsburg must win their final group stage encounter against LOSC Lille in order to advance.
Europa league
In their Europa League playoff match against Rangers on Thursday, Borussia Dortmund struggled once again without Erling Haaland, losing 4-2 at home.
After picking up an injury against Hoffenheim on January 22, the Norway international was ruled out of the match, and Scotland’s reigning champions took full advantage of his absence to beat Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park.
Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund beat Union Berlin 3-0, cutting Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga lead to six points. Marco Reus scored twice.
It also went some way to addressing rising criticism following Dortmund’s 5-2 setback at home to Bayer Leverkusen the previous Sunday, which allowed Bayern to extend their lead to nine points.
German Cup
On Tuesday 18 January 2022, holders Borussia Dortmund were eliminated from the German Cup following a stunning 2-1 defeat to second division club St Pauli in their last 16 clash.
The hosts took an early lead through Togo attacker Etienne Amenyido, followed by an own goal by Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel. Dortmund gave themselves hope when star striker Erling Haaland converted a second-half penalty, but the visitors were unable to force an equaliser.
German Super Cup
Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in the German Super Cup on Tuesday, giving coach Julian Nagelsmann his first win in command.
The Poland international, who set a Bundesliga record with 41 goals last season, opened the scoring in the 41st minute and added the decisive third goal in the 74th minute after Dortmund’s Marco Reus equalized.
Borussia Dortmund are currently in tatters, having been knocked from the Champions League at an early stage, behind league leaders Bayern Munich, having missed out on the German Cup and Super Cup, and having their Europa League campaign in jeopardy.
Will they overcome all obstacles and win something this season? We don’t know yet, but we will continue to follow and update as events unfold.
