After reaching the Champions League finals on Tuesday, Fifth-place Borussia Dortmund traveled to face sixteenth-place 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Matchday 33 of the German Bundesliga away from home. Borussia Dortmund have previously won all games in their last six outings in Mainz. Despite the previous record and their position in the league table, the home side stretched their seven games unbeaten run with an impressive 3-0 victory over the Black and Yellows.
Eden Terzic made ten changes from his UCL winning team against Paris Saint-Germain with only defender Schlotterbeck remaining. The Head coach confirmed during his Friday press conference that he would rotate his squad to ensure that fresh players are on the field. With Abdoulaye Kamara (knee injury), Julien Duranville (knock), Ramy Bensebaini (knee injury), Samuel Bamba (Muscle injury), and AFCON winner Sebastien Haller (Ankle injury) all out, his decision was possibly to rest his players for the upcoming challenge against Real Madrid. Niclas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi, Marcel Sabitzer, and Mats Hummels did not travel with the team.
BVB restructured their team, initially lining up in a 4-3-3 formation with Özcan as a defensive midfielder and Marco Reus and Nmecha in more advanced midfield roles. Later in the first half, while behind, they shifted to a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Nmecha joining Özcan in a deeper midfield position. The home side began with a 3-4-2-1 formation but adapted defensively, with their wide midfielders dropping back to create a five-man defense when Dortmund had possession. In midfield, they often had four players, with either Lee or Gruda positioned higher up the pitch based on the game’s circumstances.
The atmosphere in Mainz was buzzing with a whopping 33,305 spectators gracing the sold-out Mewa Arena. As kick-off neared, the sun cast over the large stadium, providing ideal playing conditions following a hot early-summer afternoon in Mainz. Despite Mainz players appearing nervous at the start, Borussia failed to take advantage due to their lack of speed and accuracy in attack. Defensively, they seemed susceptible. Mainz had two close opportunities in rapid succession: Firstly, Amiri’s free-kick from 22 meters hit the crossbar in the seventh minute, followed by Widmer’s header from a left-wing delivery striking the far post just a minute later.
By the 22nd minute, Mainz 05 had surged to a commanding 3-0 lead. In the 12th minute, Widmer set up Barreiro for the first goal with a well-placed cutback from the byline, leaving Meyer helpless in goal. The lead was doubled in the 19th minute when a misplaced pass by the BVB keeper gifted Lee an opportunity to score into an empty net. Barreiro’s well-curated pass found Lee who made it 3-0 to the home side four minutes later. BVB’s only notable chance of the first half came from Morey’s shot in the 27th minute, which forced a solid save from Mainz keeper Zentner.
At halftime, Edin Terzic introduced Maatsen, Brandt, and Sancho into the game. However, Mainz had the first chance after the break, with Meyer saving Burkardt’s attempt before Maatsen blocked Lee’s follow-up effort.
In the 52nd minute, BVB found the net for the first time, but the goal was disallowed as Moukoko had started his run from an offside position. Although BVB increased their tempo and precision, creating some opportunities in the Mainz penalty area, they failed to threaten the home side. Mainz remained in control, securing their first victory with more than two goals against Borussia in their 36 Bundesliga encounters.
Outgoing captain Marco Reus was keen on moving on from the defeat, noting the team has more important games to focus on in the future. Speaking to the press he said:
“If you look at the first half, the result is in order. Mainz was always one step ahead. We did exactly the opposite of what we did against Augsburg a week ago. I was hoping for a different final away game. But it’s the way it is now. I’m looking forward to next week.”
Borussia Dortmund’s Upcoming Matches
Borussia Dortmund will face Darmstadt in their final Bundesliga game before the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League final game against Real Madrid on Saturday, the 1st of June, 2024.
Borussia Dortmund Vs. Darmstadt (Bundesliga, 18th May, 2024.)
The Black and Yellows will host the already relegated last-placed team Darmstadt in their final League game in the 2023/24 season. Borussia Dortmund are already through to next season’s Champions League via the European Performance Spot (Won by Italy and Germany) after ensuring the finished fifth beyond doubts this season.
After making it to the UCL final, their priority will be the game against Madrid and less against Darmstadt, although finishing strong will be ideal for the team.
Borussia Dortmund Vs. Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League final, 1st June, 2024.)
Borussia Dortmund reached the UEFA Champions League finals on Tuesday for the third time in the competition’s sixty-nine-year history. Despite the struggles through the Bundesliga season, they’ve continued to show their class on Europe’s biggest stage.
From coming out the top of an endearing Group F (PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Newcastle) with a loss to PSG in the first game, three hard-fought wins and two draws to the final in Wembley with Europe’s most successful club – Real Madrid. The 1886/97 winners beat Dutch champions Eindhoven PSV in the Round of 16, made a comeback win against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, and aced French Champions PSG in both legs of the Semi-finals.
Captain Marco Reus, who participated in the final 11 years ago, has revealed his departure from the German club at the end of the season. He now has the opportunity to savor a fairytale ending to his tenure with the team.
Jude Bellingham has the potential to disappoint his former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, but his performance could at least bring them a substantial financial reward. Last summer, Borussia Dortmund sold Bellingham to Real Madrid for an initial £88 million. Since then, the England international has had a remarkable first season in the Spanish capital, winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. With Madrid set to play in the Champions League final at Wembley against Dortmund, Bellingham could potentially secure his third trophy. While Dortmund will be fervently aiming for their second European Cup, if Bellingham emerges victorious, they will benefit from a smart add-on in his transfer deal. According to German newspaper Bild, Dortmund will receive an additional €5 million (£4.3 million) from Madrid if Los Blancos clinch their 15th crown in London.
Borussia Dortmund’s Tickets are up for Grabs!
Act swiftly and secure your Borussia Dortmund tickets for the coming showdowns. With demand soaring, explore seat maps, compare prices, and find the ideal spot for an unforgettable experience. Official sites have witnessed a rapid sell-out due to overwhelming demand. Trusted reseller platforms remain your Go-to place for securing tickets.
The Black and Yellows find themselves at a crucial juncture and will seek reinforcements to propel them back into contention. They face the delicate task of balancing players’ fitness issues and the team’s general performance which has been a pressing issue this season. The Summer transfer window holds the potential to reshape the squad and address pressing concerns ahead of the new footballing season.
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