Borussia Dortmund 2-1 RB Leipzig: Marco Reus and Emre Can goals fire BVB to top of Bundesliga table

Borussia Dortmund beat RB Leipzig 2-1 in a crucial clash to go top of the Bundesliga.

The game started with an electric tempo, with both sides taking risks in possession and leaving lots of space in behind.

It was the visitors who had the first real chance of the match with four minutes on the clock. Christopher Nkunku timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap and drive into the box but as he pulled the trigger, Nico Schlotterbeck slid in superbly to block the shot and snuff out the danger.

Borussia Dortmund thought they had taken the lead after 15 minutes but it wasn’t to be. Jude Bellingham found Julian Brandt with a beautiful pass, Brandt then thumped home a brilliant strike past Janis Blaswich. However, the goal was ruled out as the ball brushed Brandt’s hand as he brought it down. A lifeline for RB Leipzig.

Dortmund didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring though, just six minutes later Marco Reus converted from the penalty spot after he was felled in the area by Blaswich. It was a significant goal for Reus as it takes him to second in Borussia Dortmund’s all-time goal scorers list on 159.

Marcel Halstenberg spurned a huge chance to score an equaliser for his side in the 36th minute. Emil Forsberg found Halstenberg at the back post with a great cross but the German defender could only fire his volley over the bar.

RB Leipzig would rue this miss when Dortmund doubled their lead just five minutes later. The ball was cleared only as far as Emre Can on the edge of the box and his awkwardly struck effort from long range travelled through bodies and into the back of the net.

RB Leipzig came out for the second half on the front foot, dominating possession and playing almost exclusively in Dortmund’s half. The hosts did well to contain Marco Rose’s side for as long as they did but a goal was coming. 15 minutes from time the visitors finally managed to pull one back. David Raum fired in a vicious cross and Forsberg was on hand to slide in at the back post and divert it into the back of the net.

Leipzig continued to push and almost earned a point in the dying seconds but for a superb piece of defending from Schlotterbeck. Timo Werner fired an effort that was destined for the top corner but Schlotterbeck was on hand to clear it off the line with his shoulder and ensure all three points for his side.

TALKING POINT – TOP OF THE PILE

Should Dortmund win the Bundesliga, this match feels like a fixture that will be looked back on at the end of the season as a defining moment. They had to dig in, especially in the second half to get over the line and they did so brilliantly. It’s a win which takes Dortmund three points clear of Bayern Munich – albeit with one more game played than their title rivals but it could be a huge moment in the title race. Bayern travel to face Stuttgart away from home on Saturday knowing that anything less than a win will see them remain in second place. Dortmund are not champions yet by any stretch of the imagination and there is a lot of football still to play – but their display was the performance typical of champions.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – NICO SCHLOTTERBECK (BORUSSIA DORTMUND)

The 23-year-old defender was superb for his side. He was alert, travelling across the back line to mop up loose balls and clear danger. When RB Leipzig started to shoot from all angles, it was Schlotterbeck who was constantly throwing his body in the way, blocking three shots in total. His best contribution came in the dying seconds of the match, clearing Timo Werner’s effort off the line and denying a certain equaliser. A top defensive performance.

PLAYER RATINGS

Borussia Dortmund: Meyer 8, Wolf 7, Sule 7, Schlotterbeck 9, Ryerson 7, Can 8, Brandt 7, Bellingham 7, Ozcan 7, Reus 8, Haller 6 Subs: Hummels 6, Bynoe-Gittens 6, Dahoud 6, Modeste 6

RB Leipzig: Blaswich 6, Halstenberg 6, Gvardiol 7, Orban 6, Henrichs 6, Schlager 6, Haidara 6, Nkunku 6, Szoboszlai 7, Forsberg 8, Silva 6 Subs: Raum 8, Simakan 6, Kampl 6, Werner 6, Poulsen 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

4′ A VITAL PIECE OF DEFENDING! – Christopher Nkunku beats the offside trap and drives into the box but Nico Schlotterbeck slides in at the last second to clear the ball out for a corner!

15′ GOAL CANCELLED – Julian Brandt’s goal has been ruled out for handball. The ball hit Brandt’s hand and the referee has now made the right call.

21′ GOAL – BORUSSIA DORTMUND – Marco Reus scores from the penalty spot to put Borussia Dortmund 1-0 up! A confident strike right into the bottom corner.

36′ OVER FROM HALSTENBERG! – Forsberg fires in a great cross to the back post and Halstenberg hits it over the bar on the volley, he just couldn’t get over the ball enough to keep it down and that is a big opportunity missed for RBL.

39′ GOAL – BORUSSIA DORTMUND – Emre Can with a goal! The ball was cleared to Can on the edge of the box and he strikes it first time into the ground, a really awkward one for the goalkeeper as it came through lots of traffic and Dortmund are 2-0 up!

67′ WHAT A SAVE! – That is world-class goalkeeping. Marco Reus strikes a superb effort on goal but Blaswich gets a hand to it and it’s out for a corner.

74′ GOAL – RB LEIPZIG – It’s game on! That goal has been coming. Emil Forsberg is at the back post to slide tackle the ball into the back of the net!

94′ OFF THE LINE! Incredible defending! Nico Schlotterbeck clears an effort off the line with his shoulder! That is as good as a goal.

KEY STAT

Marco Reus jumps up to second in Borussia Dortmund’s all-time goal scorers list – only Adi Preisslder has more.