Dortmund bounce back with ‘flattering’ Hoffenheim win
Erling Haaland put Borussia Dortmund on their way to a rollercoaster 3-2 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday to keep his side’s Bundesliga title hopes alive.
Despite being outplayed for much of the game, Marco Rose’s side bounced back from a shock defeat in the cup in midweek, scrapping their way to a victory which moves them within three points of league leaders Bayern Munich overnight.
“It was a flattering result for us today. Hoffenheim were very strong,” admitted Dortmund coach Rose.
Dortmund started brilliantly, carving through the Hoffenheim defence with a brilliant string of passes on six minutes to provide Haaland with a tap-in for the opener.
Hoffenheim then squandered several good chances before Andrej Kramaric equalised with a smart volley on the stroke of half-time.
Marco Reus restored the lead on the counter-attack, before a David Raum own-goal appeared to seal the three points for Dortmund.
Hoffenheim pulled a goal back late on through Georginio Rutter, and Dortmund escaped by the skin of their teeth when Sebastian Rudy missed a good chance to equalise in the 89th minute.
Dortmund remain eight points ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, who stormed to a 5-1 victory over Augsburg thanks to a Moussa Diaby hat-trick.
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Karim Bellarabi and Diaby gave Leverkusen a comfortable 2-0 half-time lead over a limp Augsburg side, before Arne Maier pulled a goal back for the guests on the hour mark.
Diaby was irresistible, however, adding a third for Leverkusen minutes later before tearing through Augsburg on the counter-attack to complete his hat-trick.
Substitute Lucas Alario added a fifth with a crafty backheel ten minutes from time.