Borussia Dortmund managed to secure 1-0 win against Hertha Berlin in Signal Aduna Park at Matchday 30 of Bundesliga. Bruno Labbadia, the new Hertha coach, who secured the ten points in the first fourth games for Hertha, had his first defeat.
Dortmund coach Lucien Favre had to rebuild his team as well as starting eleven after their 6-1 victory against Paderborn. Hummels (5th yellow card), who led the defence, had to sit out, and Can was moved from the midfield to the back position. Witsel played next to Delaney. Striker Haaland, who is suffering from knee pain and Götze who is expecting his first child anytime now, also dropped.
Bruno Labbadia had the same starting eleven as in their 2-0 home win against FC Augsburg. This also meant that Matheus Cunha and Plattenhardt, who had slight concussion were dropped. With Piatek on the bench, Ibisevic played as centre forward.
Emre Can scored a second-half winner as Borussia Dortmund maintained slim hopes of winning the Bundesliga title by edging to victory over Hertha Berlin.
Ex-Liverpool and Juventus man, Can struck in for the solitary goal, following Julian Brandt’s header down into his path.
Hazard and Brandt failed to create clear-cut chances, without injured striker Erling Haaland, in a goalless first half. Jadon Sancho should have his place in the score-sheet, but side-footed wide from six yards out.
On the other hand, Hertha could have taken the lead themselves. As Alexander Esswein curled the ball, it went off just wide of the far post from the angle.
As the Bundesliga stand now, Bayern leading the table and Dortmund are seven points at second spot. It’s upto the Bayern now to decide the fate of the Bundesliga championship, as they need eighth straight Bundesliga crown.
Borussia Dortmund – Playing Eleven
1-Bürki, 26-Piszczek, 27-Can, 16-Akanji, 5Hakimi, 28-Witsel (Balerd 80′), 6-Delaney, 13-Guerreiro (Schmelzer 90′), 7-Sancho, 23-T Hazard (Morey 79′), 19-Brandt (Reyna 68′)
Borussia Dortmund – Substitutes
3-Rente, 18-Balerdi, 22-Morey, 29-Schmelzer, 30-Pherai, 32-Reyna,, 33-Führich, 35-Hitz, 37-Raschl
Hertha Berlin – Playing Eleven
22-Jarstein, 2-Pekarík, 20-Boyata, 25-Torunarigha, 17-Mittelstädt, 15-Grujic (Maierat 88′), 3-Skjelbred (Piatekat 62′ <Booked at 77′>), 28-Lukebakio (Ngankam 45′), 6-Darida, 16-Dilrosun (Esswein 30′ <Booked at 76′> (Samardzic 88′)), 19-Ibisevic
Borussia Dortmund – Substitutes
5-Stark, 7-Piatek, 9-Esswein, 12-Smarsch, 13-Klünter, 23-Maier, 31-Dárdai, 33-Ngankam, 40-Samardzic
