Borussia Dortmund managed to breathe new life into their chase of runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich with a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim. It was a great comeback by Die Schwarzgelben, as they scored all three of their goals in the dying stages of the second half.
Hoffenheim got off to a great start against hosts Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion. A 25th minute strike by Sebastian Rudy put the visitors on top, and they managed to hold on to the lead for the best part of the game. However, the scorer himself was sent off near the hour mark, and twenty minutes later, Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalised. Goals from Adrian Ramos and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the victory for Die Schwarzgelben.
After the match, manager Thomas Tuchel was a very happy man. He lauded his players’ performances and the fact that they did not wilt under pressure.
“We gave a lot physically. I am pleased that we remained calm, but played at a good tempo and raised the pressure on our opponent,” said the Dortmund manager, according to fourfourtwo.com.
“Then of course you have to score as well to lift your mood, that of the players and the fans.
“It was a great feeling and Adrian’s was a great goal to witness. It was a very important win and a good win.”
Bundesliga turns into a two horse race
Victory for league leaders Bayern Munich as well as Borussia Dortmund meant that the difference between the two clubs remained at 8 points. Dortmund will be ruing their three losses this season, and the only way they can cut the deficit is by making sure they defeat the Bavarians when they clash at the Westfalenstadion on the fifth of March. Even with three points in that game, Tuchel’s men will have to depend upon Pep Guardiola’s side slipping up elsewhere.
The Bundesliga has become a two-horse race at this point, with 15 points separating Borussia Dortmund from third-placed Hertha Berlin. Clubs like Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Schalke can only hope to make a late charge for the third position.
