Haaland and Reus on target as BVB edge Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim 2-3 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Haaland 6’ (assist: Malen), 1-1 Kramaric 45’+1 (assist: Bebou), 1-2 Reus 58’ (assist: Malen), 1-3 Raum o.g. 66’, 2-3 Rutter 77’ (assist: Dabbur)

Although second and fourth at kick-off, nine points separated Dortmund and Hoffenheim. It took the former just six minutes to find a breakthrough after excellent combination play between Donyell Malen, Raphael Guerreiro and Jude Bellingham, with the Dutchman squaring for a simple Haaland tap-in. It would turn out to be the visitors’ only attempt of the entire first half as Hoffenheim then applied the pressure. Corners posed a constant threat, with substitute Georginio Rutter and Chris Richards being denied by former TSG youth product Gregor Kobel and the frame of the goal. The hosts should have been level when Rutter was played clean through and tried to square for Kramaric, only for Manuel Akanji to slide out of nowhere and cut it out in the nick of time. But there would be no denying the Croatian in added time as he volleyed in an Ihlas Bebou cross unmarked at the far post to make it 100 goals in Hoffenheim colours.

TSG continued to look the most likely to score again after the break, with Rutter finding the side-netting. Marco Rose sensed his side needed something different, so changed formation with the introduction of Dan-Axel Zagadou and Thorgan Hazard. Just two minutes later, BVB carved out just their second chance and second goal of the game when Reus was slipped in behind by Malen and duly slotted beyond Oliver Baumann. Die Schwarzgelben then lost Haaland after he pulled up holding his groin, but they still grabbed a third thanks to the excellent Malen, who forced an own goal out of David Raum in his own six-yard box. Dortmund were looking more confident but it was Hoffenheim who then got the next goal as Munas Dabbur turned a ball around the corner for Rutter to put away. Despite having just two attempts on target all game, Dortmund left with all three points to ensure they remain eight clear of Bayer Leverkusen in third. Hoffenheim's seven-game unbeaten run at home came to an end as they dropped out of the top four.

• Haaland has 56 goals in 57 Bundesliga outings – the youngest player ever to reach that total - and 80 in 79 for Dortmund in all competitions.
• Kramaric has eight goals in 10 Bundesliga meetings with Dortmund, with this one bringing up his 100th in all competitions for Hoffenheim (206 appearances).
• Mats Hummels made his 422nd appearance for Dortmund, moving ahead of Stefan Reuter in the club standings. Only Michael Zorc (571) and Roman Weidenfeller (453) remain in front.
• Reus made his 330th Bundesliga appearance, having a direct hand in 236 goals in that time, scoring 140 and setting up 96.
• Dortmund have benefitted from a league-high three own goals this season, with Raum’s finish adding to those of Yannik Keitel (Freiburg) and Marvin Friedrich (Union Berlin).
• Rutter got his fifth goal of the season. Only Bebou has more for Hoffenheim in 2021/22 (seven).

Hoffenheim: Baumann - Richards, Vogt, Hübner (c) (Nordtveit 62’) - Bebou, Stiller, Geiger (Rudy 62’), Raum (Bruun Larsen 83’)  – Baumgartner (Rutter 9’) - Kramaric, Dabbur
Unused subs: Philipp, Adamyan, Posch, Bischof, Asllani
Out: Adams (illness), Akpoguma (knock), Bicakcic (match fitness), Gacinovic (muscular), Kaderabek (thigh), Samassekou (Africa Cup of Nations), Skov (thigh)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Dortmund: Kobel – Wolf (Zagadou 56’), Akanji (Pongracic 83’), Hummels, Guerreiro - Dahoud, Bellingham - Brandt (Hazard 56’), Reus (c), Malen (Moukoko 83’) - Haaland (Witsel 63’)
Unused subs: Hitz, Schulz, Reinier, Passlack
Out: Can (muscular), Meunier (muscular), Morey (knee), Reyna (match fitness), Schmelzer (knee), Unbehaun (hand)
Coach: Marco Rose