Brandt rescues Dortmund in Bochum

Bochum 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Polter (pen. 40'), 1-1 Brandt 85' (assist: Haaland)

It took a while for the game to get going, with no shots at either end inside the opening 15 minutes, but it sparked into life after that. Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann very nearly gifted Dortmund a goal when trying to play out from the back, giving the ball away to Jude Bellingham, but neither Erling Haaland nor Marco Reus could get a shot away in the ensuing scramble. Riemann made amends of sorts seconds later, denying Bellingham what looked certain to be the opener after more good work from Haaland and Reus – the latter also seeing a close-range shot saved shortly afterwards. Bochum threatened sporadically on the break, but took the lead just before half-time when Sebastian Polter converted from the penalty spot after Gregor Kobel had tripped Christopher Antwi-Adjei.

Dortmund emerged for the second half determined to get back into the game, and after Nico Schulz had a shot cleared off the line within seconds of the restart, there were further chances for Reus and Haaland, while Marius Wolf had a goal disallowed following a VAR review for offside against Bellingham. Reus also had an effort hooked off the line as the visitors peppered the home side’s goal, but they were driven to despair by Riemann, who made save after save. BVB's pressure eventually took its toll, though, with Haaland crossing for Brandt to slam in a brilliant volley from a tight angle at the back post to salvage a share of the spoils on a day when Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Mainz to go six ponts clear.

• Bochum goalkeeper Riemann made his 200th competitive appearance for the club in this match.
• In-form striker Polter has now scored four of his team-high six goals this season in Bochum's last three matches. He's never had such a prolific spell in his Bundesliga career before.
• Only Wolfsburg (five) have given away more penalties than Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season (four).
• Brandt scored his third Bundesliga goal of the season.
• Haaland provided his fourth Bundesliga assist of 2021/22.
• This was Dortmund's first draw away from home this season, following three wins and three defeats.

Watch: Gregor Kobel on Dortmund's faltering title ambitions

Bochum: Riemann – Stafylidis (Bella-Kotchap 90'+6), Masovic, Leitsch, Soares – Pantovic (Tesche 79'), Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj – Antwi-Adjei (Gamboa 80'), Polter (Ganvoula 68'), Holtmann (Bockhorn 67')
Unused subs: Esser, Osterhage, Novothny, Lambropoulos
Out: Blum (muscular), Decarli (shoulder), Löwen (not included), Zoller (knee)
Coach: Thomas Reis 

Dortmund: Kobel – Meunier, Hummels, Zagadou, Schulz – Bellingham, Can, Dahoud (Brandt 68') – Wolf (Hazard 68'), Haaland, Reus (c)
Unused subs: Hitz, Reinier, Tigges, Witsel, Passlack, Pongracic, Knauff
Out: Akanji (knee), Bürki (ankle), Guerreiro (muscular), Malen (ill), Morey (knee), Moukoko (muscular), Reyna (match fitness), Schmelzer (knee), Unbehaun (hand)
Coach: Marco Rose