Dortmund

Julian Brandt scored with his back and Borussia Dortmund held on to move top of the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim.

“Nevertheless, it’s a very, very, very strong moment, what we’ve delivered in the past few weeks. Marco Reus whipped in a free kick and Brandt bent forward so the ball skimmed in off his back shortly before the break. Today we were a little less efficient then we’ve been over the past few weeks, when we played very well.

On another day BVB could have had a hatful, but they made it hard for themselves.

The Englishman is a decent match for pace, but his ability to create opportunities does not yet match that of Adeyemi. The more BVB win and create momentum, the more chemistry the team will develop. There is also a greater sense of security in defense, as Süle and Schlotterbeck seem to have developed their understanding and benefitted from the resurgence of Emre Can, who helps prevent attacks from flowing freely into Dortmund’s final third. Pundits are beginning to take notice, and the fans are growing in confidence. I had steeled myself for disappointment, but BVB managed to snag a single goal to lift themselves not only past the struggling Sinshiem side but also to the summit of the Bundesliga table. Going into a weekend of heavyweight clashes, it was critical for BVB to collect the “routine” points against a Hoffenheim side who have failed to win since October.

In-form Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt scored a freak first-half goal to secure a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim on Saturday and send his side three ...

Dortmund winger Marius Wolf looked to have doubled his side's lead after 57 minutes when he struck a lifting ball past 'keeper Oliver Baumann, but the goal was ruled out for a foul at the other end of the pitch in the build up. Just before half-time, Dortmund captain Marco Reus swung in a free-kick from just outside the box to Brandt, who looked to be trying to get out of the way, but the ball skimmed off his back and into the net. Berlin (AFP) – In-form Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt scored a freak first-half goal to secure a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim on Saturday and send his side three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

A moment of improvisation from Julian Brandt earned Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 win at struggling TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, sending Edin Terzic's side three ...

In-form Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt scored with a freak first-half goal to secure a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim on Saturday, sending his side three ...

Werner said his team "deserved to win" after "a really strong first half" and revealed only now has he fully recovered from the syndesmosis injury which kept him out of the World Cup. Dortmund winger Marius Wolf looked to have doubled his side's lead after 57 minutes when he struck a lifting ball past 'keeper Oliver Baumann, but the goal was ruled out for a foul at the other end of the pitch in the build up. Just before half-time, Dortmund captain Marco Reus swung in a free-kick from just outside the box to Brandt, who looked to be trying to get out of the way, but the ball skimmed off his back and into the net.

A first half goal from Julian Brandt saw Borussia Dortmund produce a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Can fouls Kevin Akpoguma right on the edge of the box, and as Hoffenheim set themselves up for the free-kick, the referee has been sent over to the monitor to have a check. The midfielder created six chances in the game, more than any other player on the pitch, and was the most fouled (2), as he continued to trouble the Hoffenheim defence throughout. 51’ - VAR CHECK FOR A HOFFENHEM PENALTY!