Dortmund earn 3 points the hard way, win at Hoffenheim

Before the opening whistle, the positions in the table suggested a highly competitive matchup as fourth place Hoffenheim was playing host to second place Borussia Dortmund.

In addition, these positions were the same for their goal-per-game stats: Dortmund averaging 2.6 goals per game (second best in the Bundesliga) while Hoffenheim was fourth with a 2.1 average.

The last two games between these two clubs featured a 2-2 draw and a 3-2 win.

And then came the game. The result: another weekend, another goal for Erling Haaland who netted his 16th goal of the year in minute 6 to open the scoring.

The first half saw both clubs trading chances but nothing too serious that the respective defensive units were put under pressure.

Around the 40-minute mark, Hoffenheim started ramping up the pressure and their hard work paid off. Inlas Bebou provided a beautiful cross to Andrej Kramaric who finished it off with his right boot to tie the game up just before the first half final whistle.

That goal by Kramaric was his 100th career goal with Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim wasted a great opportunity early in the second half after relentless pressing and suddenly the so-called bees went on the counter. Attacking directly toward the net, Dortmund got their second thanks to a nice finish from Marco Reus.

Dortmund got a bit of scare in the 63rd as Haaland had to be subbed off in what appeared to be a tweaked groin. Holding the lead, the Black-and-Yellow were not going to risk their star player to further injury.

After the injury concern to Haaland, Dortmund was presented a gift with a Hoffenheim own goal in minute 66 suggesting that Dortmund had 3 points in the bag with a 3-1 lead.

In minute 77, Hoffenheim made the game stressful for the boys in black and yellow as they were able to cut the deficit to one goal, putting the hosts in the mix again for points. The goal was netted by 19-year-old Georginio Rutter.

Dortmund like to do things the hard way and Hoffenheim had ample chances thanks to their continued pressing, but could not complete the comeback.

It was a nice three points for Dortmund, helping them regroup from the upset loss in the DFB Pokal earlier this week.

The win puts the heat on league leaders Bayern Munich as Dortmund closed the gap to three points pending Bayern’s result against Hertha Berlin on Sunday.