Borussia Dortmund continues to prove its resilience in the Bundesliga, with a well-earned 2-1 victory against VfB Stuttgart. A tightly contested match saw both sides battle fiercely, but it was Dortmund who came away with all three points, thanks to a dramatic late goal from their prolific striker.
Dortmund's Dominance in the First Half
The opening minutes of the match showcased Dortmund’s tactical superiority. With swift ball movement and high pressing, Dortmund consistently pinned Stuttgart in their own half. The central midfield pairing of Emre Can and Salih Özcan controlled the tempo of the game, disrupting Stuttgart’s attempts to build from the back.
Key Tactical Approach
Dortmund employed a 4-2-3-1 formation, leveraging width to stretch Stuttgart’s defense. Julian Brandt, operating on the right, consistently found space to send dangerous crosses into the box. The full-backs, Ramy Bensebaini and Marius Wolf, pushed high, effectively pinning Stuttgart’s wingers and creating overloads in wide areas.
Stuttgart's Defense Resilient But Fragile
Though Dortmund maintained dominance in possession, Stuttgart’s defensive unit showed remarkable organization. Led by their central defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, Stuttgart managed to absorb waves of Dortmund’s attacks, frequently breaking up plays and denying clear-cut chances.
However, it was evident that Stuttgart was increasingly vulnerable to long balls over the top. Their backline often found itself outpaced by Dortmund’s rapid transitions, particularly when faced with Karim Adeyemi’s pace and Sébastien Haller’s physicality in the final third.
Second-Half Changes Shift Momentum
The second half saw Stuttgart come out with renewed energy. Recognizing the need to take risks, Stuttgart’s coach made key substitutions, introducing fresh legs in the midfield to press Dortmund higher up the pitch. The increased intensity forced Dortmund into several sloppy turnovers, with Stuttgart creating a number of promising counter-attacking opportunities.
Stuttgart’s equalizer came in the 68th minute, after a well-executed set piece. A precise corner delivery found Zagadou, who powered a header past Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, leveling the score 1-1.
Guirassy’s Late Heroics Seal the Victory
As the match seemed destined to end in a stalemate, Dortmund remained persistent. The introduction of Youssoufa Moukoko in the 80th minute provided fresh attacking impetus. Moukoko’s pace and creativity immediately caused problems for Stuttgart’s tiring defense.
In the dying moments of the game, a pinpoint cross from Brandt found Guirassy, who made no mistake, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to secure Dortmund’s victory. This crucial strike in the 89th minute ensured that Dortmund walked away with a fully deserved three points.
Conclusion
Borussia Dortmund’s victory over Stuttgart underscores their tactical depth and ability to grind out results in challenging situations. While Stuttgart put up a valiant effort, it was Dortmund’s superior quality and persistence that ultimately made the difference. With this win, Dortmund continues to solidify its position as a serious contender in the Bundesliga title race.