Borussia Dortmund started the new Bundesliga season with several analysts predicting that the league would be completely dominated by its biggest rival until the middle of next year, but the opening rounds are at least allowing us to enjoy a competitive race in the early stages. This weekend, in pursuit of a title that has eluded them for 13 years, Dortmund beat Mainz 05 2-0 at the Mewa Arena and secured their fourth consecutive victory.
This result becomes even more significant considering that the home team had a huge chance to open the scoring in the early minutes when Nebel slid in to try to take advantage of Sieb's cross, but the ball ended up hitting the crossbar. This was an opportunity that no team inferior to their opponents in terms of technical ability could afford to waste.
And the punishment came in the very next minute, after a good move by Dortmund that ended with Brandt passing to Svensson, who pushed the ball into the net and opened the scoring. Before halftime, Borussia Dortmund scored their second goal after Adeyemi led the counterattack and exchanged passes with Brandt before finishing in the corner, leaving Zentner with no chance.
Throughout the second half, Dortmund were extremely competent in defending their lead and confidently managed their comfortable advantage on the scoreboard. Things got even easier when Adeyemi went on the counterattack and was brought down by goalkeeper Zentner, who came out desperately and only hit the striker's leg, earning himself a straight red card. From then on, the final stretch of the game was controlled with great ease.
Dortmund and Mainz will have European commitments during
While Mainz is currently only in 13th place in the German league table with four points, both teams are now turning their attention to European competition. Borussia Dortmund returns to action on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, when it hosts Athletic Bilbao in the second round of the group stage, while Mainz will play the following day against Omonia in the Conference League.